Parton will end his 16 years of radio in Canberra when he leaves the station on December 18 after seven years in breakfast at 2CC, preceded by breakfast at MIX 106 with Lisa Ridgley. He will pursue is own business interests in marketing and social media.

Parton was an independent candidate in the ACT Legislative Assembly election in 2008 and fell a few hundred votes short of being elected to the northern seat of Ginninderra. Despite denying any ambitions to stand for the Liberals, his timing in resigning from the media leaves the way clear to him to possibly compete in next year’s local election.

The station says it’s working on Parton’s replacement, but has denied the whispers of a reformed Scotty and Nige or the return of Luke Bona, who more recently hosted the station’s drive shift for five months before returning to overnight radio in Sydney.

In a cordial press release announcing Parton’s departure, general manager Michael Jones said: “Mark has been a part of radio in Canberra for the past 16 years, the last seven with Talking Canberra 2CC. This also brings to an end a career in radio spanning 33 years.

“Mark leaves to pursue his personal interests outside of the radio industry.

“Mark Parton’s time at 2CC has been marked by strong ratings performance and five Australian Commercial Radio Awards for talk and current affairs presenting.

“Radio Canberra thanks Mark for his valued service to 2CC and to the radio listeners of Canberra, and wishes him the very best in his future endeavours.”