Former Rudd and Gillard government minister Jenny Macklin has been praised by Opposition Leader Bill Shorten as a “legend” who “changed the country in her quiet way” after she announced her retirement from federal politics.

“I’ve never seen her ill-at-ease,” said Mr Shorten.

“She’s as comfortable talking to Aboriginal mothers in a remote community as she is meeting pensioners at the local Italian Club.”

The former Labor deputy leader said on Friday she will not renominate for the Melbourne seat of Jagajaga after 22 years in the position, serving on the government or opposition frontbench for that time.

“As the longest serving Labor woman in the House of Representatives, ever, ‘It’s Time’, as Gough so famously said, for me to move on,” Ms Macklin said in a statement on Friday.

“It’s also time for the next generation. Although I still want to contribute to policy debates, it’s time for me to step back.”

When she was elected in 1996, there only four Labor women in the House. “Now there are 27,” said Ms Macklin.

‘I was the first Labor woman elected as deputy leader, and there have already been two more after me – with Julia Gillard as the first female Prime Minister.

“I have no doubt there will be many more Labor women in leadership positions.”

Mr Shorten heaped praised on the Melbourne mother-of-three, saying she had “deep policy knowledge, unshakeable conviction and a ceaseless determination to see the right thing done”.

Every political party in Australia wishes they had a Jenny Macklin, but only Labor has been blessed with her extraordinary mind, her caring heart and her fearless love of the good fight. How lucky we have been.

— Bill Shorten (@billshortenmp) July 5, 2018

“Jenny Macklin changed the country, in her quiet way … The truth is, there isn’t a single major social policy reform in recent times that hasn’t been shaped by Jenny Macklin.’

He noted her roles in the the introduction of Australia’s first national paid parental leave scheme, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and leading the push for a Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

“Labor has been blessed with her extraordinary mind, her caring heart and her fearless love of the good fight. How lucky we have been,” Mr Shorten said.

Former Prime Minister Julia Gillard also thanked Ms Macklin for “all her help and support”.

Jenny Macklin is a special combination of an enormous heart and huge brain. She used both to drive compassionate, caring and highly effective reforms for Australia. Our nation is immensely better off for her service. My personal thanks to her for all her help and support.

— Julia Gillard (@JuliaGillard) July 5, 2018

While she will be departing parliament, Ms Macklin will not be stepping back from public policy or public life.

“I will continue to do all I can for my local community and to be an advocate for a more equal Australia,” she said.

Elected to the north-east Melbourne seat of Jagajaga in 1996, Ms Macklin, 64, went on to serve as deputy Labor leader to Kim Beazley.

She served as Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs for six years and Minister for Disability Reform for two years.

“I’ve seen her demolish a hapless procession of Liberal social policy ministers, every one of whom forgot that beneath the gentle exterior lies a forensic mind for detail and an unbreakable belief in social justice,” Mr Shorten said.

Other MPs also lauded Ms Macklin’s work on social policy.

Australia is a fairer and more decent nation for Jenny Macklin’s work. Jenny has been one of Australia's greatest champions for the marginalised and the disadvantaged.
Her legacy is a powerful reminder of what Labor can do for the country at our compassionate and determined best.

— Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) July 5, 2018

Despite being one of the busiest people in APH, Jenny Macklin was like a Mamma Bear for new Labor MPs – taking the time to mentor, counsel, check in & offer support. Her encyclopaedic knowledge of social policy is fearsome, but it’s these little things that made people love her.

— Tim Watts MP (@TimWattsMP) July 5, 2018

If I were asked who had been the most significant contributor to Labor Policy for the last twenty years the answer is obvious: Jenny Macklin. No matter where they lived, disadvantaged Australians have always had a champion in Jenny.#auspol

— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) July 5, 2018

Jenny Macklin is a rare but powerful mix of kindness and steel – disadvantaged people have never had a more powerful or effective advocate

— Jay Weatherill (@JayWeatherill) July 5, 2018

-with AAP