Former prime minister Kevin Rudd has officially resigned from Federal Parliament.
Photo: Former prime minister Kevin Rudd's resignation letter has been accepted by Speaker of the House Bronwyn Bishop. (file photo) (AAP: Alan Porritt)
Speaker Bronwyn Bishop says she received his resignation letter today and will now consider dates for a by-election in his Brisbane seat of Griffith.
Mr Rudd gave a resignation speech to the House of Representatives last week, announcing he was stepping down to spend more time with his family.
"The decision that I have made has not been taken lightly," he said on November 13.
"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."
It brings an end to a tumultuous 15-year career that saw him serve as prime minister twice.
The Government had been calling for Mr Rudd to submit his resignation letter by Monday this week, as it would have allowed a by-election in his seat before the end of the year.
Mr Rudd issued a statement defending his timing, saying he had outstanding correspondence to deal with.
ABC election analyst Antony Green says a Griffith by-election is now likely to be held in late January or early February.
The Coalition has already endorsed former Australian Medical Association president Bill Glasson as its candidate.
He delivered a 5.5 per cent swing against Labor at the September election and was one of Tony Abbott's star candidates in the federal poll.
Dr Glasson said Mr Rudd had gone back on a promise he made during the election campaign to serve out a full term.
"In less than 90 days to announce that he now is not going to continue as the Member for Griffith is again treating the people of Griffith with some degree of contempt," he said this week.
"If they should select bill Glasson as the future member for Griffith then I will go down there [to Parliament] with a strong voice.
"As I know Mr Abbott, the Prime Minister, very well, then obviously I would think that I could influence policy in a whole range of areas to make life and the cost of living for people in Griffith easier and for those businesses in Griffith make the cost of living easier as well."
Labor candidate battle heats up
A part-time Virgin Australia pilot is among candidates vying to contest Mr Rudd's seat for Labor.
Jeremy de Lore, 43, who it is understood joined the Labor Party in February, has the backing of key sections of the party's right wing in Queensland, including the Australian Workers Union.
Aircraft noise is an issue in Griffith, which lies under the flight path to Brisbane International Airport.
Industrial relations lawyer Terri Butler is expected to be the left's candidate.
Former state MP Di Farmer, who had been thought to be a contender, is not running for the federal seat.
