Former prime minister Kevin Rudd quits politics IN FULL: Kevin Rudd quits Parliament Former prime minister Kevin Rudd makes a tear-filled farewell speech as he announces his resignation from Parliament. PT15M16S http://www.smh.com.au/action/externalEmbeddedPlayer?id=d-2xh6n 620 349 November 13, 2013 - 10:59PM Former prime minister Kevin Rudd is to quit politics, effective from the end of this week. His departure will force a byelection in the Brisbane seat of Griffith. Declaring "it really is time for me to zip," Mr Rudd dropped the bombshell announcement to a packed House of Representatives on Wednesday evening. "This has been the product of much soul-searching for us as a family over the last few months," he revealed. But for me, my family is everything, always has been, always will be, which is why I will not be continuing as a member of this Parliament beyond this week. "I wish Tony [Abbott], his wife Margie and their family all the best for the rigours of high office that inevitably lie ahead," he said. He planned to continue a focus on key issues such as Aboriginal reconciliation, homelessness, organ donation, and multiculturalism. A teary Mr Rudd called on MPs to be gentle with each other as he thanked staff, former colleagues, and even the press gallery, to whom he directed a subtle dig, for not being present in significant numbers to cover the after-dinner sitting. He said he had decided to go at the best time for the Parliament. It was right and proper that I report my decision to the Parliament at the earliest opportunity. That day is today. I have chosen to do so now to create minimal disruptions to the normal proceedings of the house. My predecessors as prime minister, Whitlam, Fraser, Hawke and Keating, reached similar decisions to leave the Parliament before the subsequent election. As did would-be prime ministers, Costello and Downer, perhaps prime minister Howard would have done the same had he retained the seat of Bennelong, although we will never know. Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid a warm tribute to Mr Rudd, calling his departure "a special occasion." He said Mr Rudd had served the Parliament for the best part of two decades. This is a significant moment in the life of this Parliament, Mr Abbott said as he branded Mr Rudd "one of the big figures." I salute him and I wish him and his family all the best for the future. He said Mr Rudd would no doubt continue to support the causes to which many MPs were committed. It does take an extraordinary person to lead an extraordinary country. Labor leader Bill Shorten said Mr Rudd could leave the Parliament "with his head held high." He said Mr Rudd had led Australia and represented it internationally "with distinction." He said even the harshest of Mr Rudd's critics would recognise that he had enjoyed a special relationship with the Australian public, saying he was as near as any would ever get to a pop star. Former Sunrise sparring partner, Treasurer Joe Hockey, said he knew Mr Rudd and regarded him as one of the luckiest men in Australia. Several other prominent figures also praised Mr Rudd, including the man who was his deputy prime minister in his second brief stint earlier this year, Anthony Albanese. Mr Rudd's departure closes the book on one Labor's most successful yet also explosively destructive periods. He entered Parliament in 1998, rose to lead it with Julia Gillard as his deputy in 2006 and defeated John Howard for the prime ministership in 2007. But he was denied a chance to contest the next election in 2010 after being replaced by Ms Gillard. He then replaced her just before the 2013 election but despite a promising recovery, was unable to turn Labor's fortunes around before the election on September 7. However many of his colleagues, including Mr Shorten, believe he saved the furniture, allowing his party to fight on in the future. What they said: tributes to Kevin Rudd Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader: "I want to pay tribute to Kevin Rudd and thank him ... I do not believe we will see his like again in Australian politics. Anthony Albanese, former deputy prime minister: "Kevin Rudd led Labor to a historic victory from opposition in 2007. Only Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke have managed that feat since World War II. The apology to indigenous Australians, ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, the largest-ever increase in the pension and the expansion of affordable housing in Australia are all part of the Rudd legacy. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister, on Mr Rudd's apology to the stolen generations: "Ancient wrongs were addressed, ancient injustices were at least in part atoned for and our country had a unifying and healing moment the likes of which we very, very rarely see." Malcolm Turnbull, Communications Minister, on Rudd's removal as prime minister: "It is etched in my memory. It was one of the cruellest moments I've ever witnessed. Joe Hockey, Treasurer: "He is still a decent man. He deserves all the very best for the future. Poll: Should Kevin Rudd have resigned? Total votes: 14950. Poll closes in 20 hours.