Now the party faces the future without me, either in parliament or managing the organisational side (which is where I started). I am no longer on the National Executive, which for the past year or so has been doing everything it can to reduce my influence.

I wish I could say the party is in good hands, but I fear that is not the case. The National Executive does not inspire confidence.

For myself, I will return to the business world. My company is still operating successfully and I have no need for employment. I will continue to write, including a book on gun control, but my life as a politician is over.

The impact is more far-reaching for my staff; they need to find a new job. We all go into politics knowing it is a precarious business, but that doesn’t make it easy. The hours are long and the pressure immense.

While I can’t say it was fun, I’m honoured to have served almost five years in the Senate. I also have some very worthwhile achievements to my credit, of which saving Malabar rifle range is probably my most personally gratifying.

Thank you to all those who have supported me, whether in the last few years or over the long term. It is for you, your belief in me and our shared values, that I did it. I’m sorry that it ended this way, but it won’t be the end of our campaign for low taxes, less regulation and simply being left alone.