David Hawker (Wannon, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

We will leave that one! Mr Speaker, I am sure that you also share with me in saying to all the new members of this parliament, on both sides, that we wish them every success. We trust that they will acquire a deep commitment to this House and become true parliamentarians, as I think all of them would aspire to.

It was a great privilege to be the Speaker in the 41st Parliament, to work with so many fine Australians and to have the privilege of being supported by such a professional team in the House, led by the Clerk and his deputy, by the Serjeant-at-Arms and by all the staff who work in the Department of the House of Representatives and the Department of Parliamentary Services.

I thank the Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the National Party for their kind remarks. I would also like to thank my staff and my wife and family for the support they have given me, as yours will give you, Mr Speaker. For me, this is also a rather unique occasion because almost 25 years ago, after being sworn in as the new member for Wannon, I was welcomed by the then Speaker, Dr Harry Jenkins, the member for Scullin. And today we congratulate the Hon. Harry Jenkins, the member for Scullin, as the Speaker now. Mr Speaker, your father would be very proud of you. I know your family and your mother, who are here today, are very proud of you. I wish you every success in this very important role.

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