The non-consecutive two-time former Prime Minister of Australia has announced his retirement, creating a symbolic end for an historic period in politics.

Kevin Rudd announced last night that he would quit federal politics, after serving as the Member for the Brisbane seat of Griffith since 1998.

Rudd's announcement will cause a by-election for his long-held seat in Queensland. The announcement also caused a rare lapse in Parliamentary petulance, as all sides of Australian politics took time to reflect on and acknowledge Mr Rudd’s achievements.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott lauded Mr Rudd’s apology to Indigenous Australians,

“I'm sure every single member of this House celebrates... that extraordinary apology on the first day of the parliamentary sitting in 2008,” the Prime Minister said.

“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. It was a great moment in our history.”

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull told Mr Rudd he would certainly be remembered.

“You have had a leading and often decisive role for so many years. You have been a leader in Australia, a leader of Australia, a formidable leader, the leader of the Labor Party that defeated John Howard,” Turnbull said

“This is indeed a momentous day.”

Speaker of the House Bronwyn Bishop joined the outpouring of esteem for the former Prime Minister.

“There is something about an emotional tie and you have sparked something tonight by speaking to the Parliament in the way that you did,” she told Mr Rudd.

“You sparked an empathy across the chamber. In your candid bearing of your emotions, indeed part of your soul, you have evoked that spirit that I think binds the Parliament.”

Minister for Education Christopher Pyne said he personally had never had a cross word with Kevin Rudd.

“He and I were once both members of the same prayer group,” Mr Pyne said

“We are all human beings and I am so pleased to be able to give Kevin Rudd back to his beautiful family and his wife and I'm sure that he has decades ahead of a contribution to public life in one respect or another.”

Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey spoke most warmly of Mr Rudd, from the opposing side of the bipartisan divide.

“I have seen the Kevin Rudd that many haven't seen including sharing semi-nakedness with him in a river in Papua New Guinea. An unforgettable experience I must say,” Mr Hockey said.

“I think he is in ways the luckiest guy in Australia. He married a beautiful woman, a very special woman, who has not only been a partner on the journey in politics but also a great supporter raising three magnificent children. I look forward to watching his contribution outside the Parliament on issues which he's indicated, Indigenous welfare, homelessness, organ donation and other issues that I have no doubt that Kevin will take up with passion and commitment and I pay tribute to him and honour him here tonight.”

Despite the inconsistency many believe Mr Rudd contributed during his latter months in Parliament, it is most likely he will be remembered for some concrete decisions.

Mr Rudd was instrumental in ensuring the nation was not a significant victim of the Global Financial Crisis in recent years. He also apologised to generations of indigenous Australians for their horrendous treatment at the hands of former Australian Governments. One of Rudd’s first acts as Prime Minister in 2007 was to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, formalising the commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Deputy Leader of the Opposition Tanya Plibersek warmly surmised Kevin Rudd’s time in power.

“We have seldom had a PM of such prodigious intellect, such a wide variety of interests and such a capacity to translate those personal stories and that evidence from so many different experts into policies that have made our nation a better place,” Ms Plibersek said.