Western Australian Liberal senator Linda Reynolds has announced she won't contest the next election and will retire from politics after 10 years in the Senate.
Reynolds said she would not seek Liberal Party preselection for another term beyond June 2025.
"For forty years I have proudly served my nation in the army, in the Liberal Party, in defence industry, in parliament and in government," she wrote on Facebook.
"In my career after the Senate, I will continue to serve, but in new ways.
"It is rare in politics to have the opportunity to choose the time and circumstances of your departure, and my decision has been made after considerable reflection of what is behind me and the opportunities that are now ahead of me."
The former defence minister, who entered parliament in 2014 before being re-elected in 2016 and 2019, thanked party members for endorsing her on three separate occasions.
Senator Reynolds was widely criticised for her response to rape allegations by former staff member Brittany Higgins.
She has since launched defamation action against Higgins and her partner over social media posts in relation to the claims.
Prior to entering federal parliament, Senator Reynolds enlisted in the army reserves at the age of 19 and later became a Liberal staffer for Fred Chaney, Judi Moylan and Chris Ellison.
