Former Australian foreign minister Downer to retire
Updated
The former Australian foreign minister, Alexander Downer, says he will officially retire from the House of Representatives on July 14.
Mr Downer has held a news conference in a park in his Adelaide Hills electorate of Mayo, flanked by his wife and two of his children.
He says he will be taking up board positions, a university posting and business interests, and he is likely to accept a part-time United Nations' role negotiating in Cyprus.
Mr Downer says he thought long and hard about his decision to retire, but says it is time to move on.
"I leave with no regrets," he said.
"I leave with a sense that it's been a real honour to serve the people of Mayo in South Australia and the people of Australia over so many years."
