FORMER Nationals leader Mark Vaile has announced he has quit federal politics.
Mr Vaile took the Nationals` leadership and become deputy prime minister in 2005 following the resignation of former leader John Anderson.
He stepped down as party leader following the Coalition`s loss at the November 2007 election.
He came under fire earlier this year for undertaking consultancy work in Dubai for Sydney-based firm ServCorp.
His departure continues the exodus of former ministers in the Howard government from the Parliament.
Former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer announced recently that he would leave politics for a United Nations post. Former minister Peter McGauran has also vacated his seat since the Coalition`s election loss.
But former Treasurer Peter Costello remains on the backbench, refusing to publicly commit to staying in politics for the long-term or quitting in the near future.
According to extracts of a book written about last year`s election campaign, Mr Costello was the Coalition`s best chance to win.
The book cited "secret ALP polling" as showing the Coalition could have fought a stronger campaign with Mr Costello as leader.
Mr Vaile was elected as the member for Lyne in 1993 and served in the Coalition`s cabinet for more than 10 years as minister for agriculture, fisheries and forestry, transport and regional services and trade.
"Mark became one of the world`s longest-serving trade ministers of his time," Nationals leader Warren Truss said.
"He ... played a key role in some of the most significant trade negotiations of the modern era."
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