Outgoing Communications Minister, Daryl Williams, has supported John Howard’s decision to move him to the backbench to make way for Helen Coonan.

“I have previously announced I will not be a candidate at the next Federal election.

“The Prime Minister’s decision to appoint a number of new ministers to continue through until the election has brought forward my departure from the Ministry and Cabvarchar(15).

“It has been a great honour to serve the Australian community as a Minister of the Government.

“I am privileged to have been Attorney-General for more than seven and a half years and to have held the interesting and diverse portfolio of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts.

“Until the election, I will continue to represent the interests of residents in my electorate of Tangney to the best of my ability.

“I take this opportunity to thank the members of my Ministerial staff, who have made it possible for me to serve the Government for so many years.

“I would also like to thank the officers of the Attorney-General’s Department and the DCITA, with whom I have worked closely over the years, for their dedicated service.

“In the coming months, I will be working hard with my colleagues in the Liberal and National parties for the re-election of the Howard Government, which has delivered and will continue to deliver Australia’s best opportunity for a strong, safe and prosperous future.”