Senator the Hon Marise Payne has announced that she will retire from the Senate on 30 September, completing over 26 years of service as a Senator for NSW.

A local Penrith area resident, Marise Payne is Australia’s longest serving female Senator in history. 

During her career she has served our nation in many important roles including Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence. 

In a statement this morning Senator Payne thanked her family, partner Stuart Ayres, her staff and colleagues. 

Senator Payne said she is looking forward to the next phase of her professional life and will continue to make a contribution to our country. 

“In retiring from the Senate this month I intend it to be a long way from complete retirement. 

“It has been a great honour to serve as a Liberal Senator for New South Wales. I sincerely thank all those with whom I have worked and who have supported me over more than two decades,” Senator Payne said. 

Her achievements both locally and federally are far too many to list here, check out next week’s print edition for full story.