Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence: one of the great conventions of this parliament is what we refer to as valedictories. For those who are listening to this debate and are not familiar with this convention: it is about the fact that we all in this place, the parliament of the nation, seek in our own way to work for the national good and, as we move towards the Christmas season and a time of rest and reflection with our families, friends and loved ones, it is an occasion when we can legitimately extend good wishes to all people no matter what side of politics they are on and no matter what their role may be in this place and wish them all rest and recuperation for the year ahead. This has been a big year for the government, and I am sure it has been a big year for the opposition. We are all realistic enough to know that 2009 will be even bigger, given the challenges that are faced around the world. The importance of rest and recuperation for all members is underlined by that fact, as it will be for all families across this nation of ours.

I begin this valedictory speech by reflecting first and foremost on our troops in the field, whether they be in Iraq, Afghanistan, the Sudan, the Middle East, the Solomons, Timor Leste or elsewhere. Last time I saw the numbers, we had some 3,000 Australians abroad. They come from military bases and service communities across the country. Given that a lot of these service men and women have little kids, not being with their kids at Christmas is a really hard thing. At this particular time we reflect on that aspect of service life which is very personal, very intimate, and therefore very important for all of our men and women in uniform in the field.

I have said before and I say again that there is no higher calling in Australia than to wear the uniform of Australia. We salute the professionalism and the service of our troops in the field. Also at this time, particularly on this day when we say farewell to another one of our servicemen, we recall those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. For those families Christmas has a particular and difficult significance because it is a time when one of their loved ones—their father, in the case of those who have died in Afghanistan—is no longer here. So we should strip away all the trials and tribulations which beset us in the workaday life of politics and think about those seven families whose dad is not here this year. It is a really hard thing for those families.

Christmas in the wider canvas presents similar difficulties for all families who have lost family members during the year. There is almost a double aspect to Christmas: a public celebration of the event for those of faith and those not of faith and at the same time a period of acute pain for those who have suffered family division, breakdown or the loss of loved ones. Let us all be out in our own communities extending in our own way the hand of friendship and solidarity to those for whom this is a very difficult time of year as well.

In terms of our own number here, I begin by extending my best wishes for Christmas to Malcolm Turnbull, his wife, Lucy, and their family. I hope they have a restful time over the summer break. I have been in the position that the Leader of the Opposition currently occupies. I know it has its own trials and tribulations. Therefore, I wish him and his family well for the break that is ahead of us all. As for the Manager of Opposition Business, Joe Hockey—Joe, you don’t deserve a break!

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