He may not be "the sharpest chisel in the box" but the Northern Territory's treasurer says he's had a blessed political career.
David Tollner is leaving politics at the August NT election after failing to win preselection for the newly-created seat of Spillett.
He served as the first member for Solomon in federal parliament for six years, from 2001 until 2007, and then moved to NT politics, where he has held the seat of Fong Lim since 2008.
The Country Liberals won power in 2012 and he currently holds the portfolios of treasury, mines and energy, and lands and planning, having also served as deputy chief minister, and health and housing minister.
"I have been absolutely extraordinarily blessed," Mr Tollner told reporters on Tuesday as he handed down his fourth and final budget.
He said the Keating-Hawke-Howard federal parliament "was really a golden era in Australian political history and to be part of that is a magnificent honour in itself", as was representing the NT.
"To find myself in the illustrious position as treasurer, I've always pinched myself, it's something hard for me to comprehend," Mr Tollner said.
"I've never considered myself the sharpest chisel in the box or anyone particularly special, so it's been an incredibly great honour to achieve this position and there's practically nothing I regret in the last four years."
He wouldn't be drawn on those regrets, or, as he termed them, "little peccadilloes", although he's no stranger to controversy, being dumped from cabinet for about six months in 2014 after referring to a gay staffer and son of a fellow MP as "a shirt lifter" and "pillow biter".
He was accused by indigenous MPs Alison Anderson and Larisa Lee of racism, and of bullying by former CLP MP Robyn Lambley.
Mr Tollner denied he would be replaced as treasurer before the election.
"I don't have any intention of going anywhere and I don't believe the chief minister has any intention of changing things up in the lead up to the election," he said.
He also denied he had his eye on any boards or organisations with government links.
"My name's not Peter Costello, I don't intend to leave politics and then sort of seamlessly move into the chairman's position or a board position at all, it's not something I've ever contemplated," Mr Tollner said.
"I intend to stay in the NT, but if at all possible I'm dead keen to distance myself from the Territory government and leave it to the next Territory government to take the reins," he said.
