Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

If it is a good one, keep using it. When he uses 104 as often as the Prime Minister and the Treasurer say ‘swift and decisive action’, then I will listen to him! The whole frontbench has performed very effectively and loyally throughout this year. I cannot acknowledge all of them here—it would take us all morning—but I want to acknowledge the hard work that Joe Hockey has done as shadow Treasurer. Of course, prior to that he was the Manager of Opposition Business and he did an outstanding job in that regard.

I also acknowledge the extraordinary work that Ian Macfarlane, the member for Groom, has done in those very arduous negotiations with Senator Wong that had the outcome of the agreement to amendments to the government’s emissions trading scheme. It was a remarkable negotiation and had many good results—the amendments were one, and there was also a particularly entertaining cartoon in the Age, which we have all found amusing.

I thank for their hard work our Chief Whip, Alex Somlyay, and whips Nola Marino and Michael Johnson. They have done a remarkable job. Again, whichever parliamentary job you speak of, it is harder in opposition than it is in government, and the members opposite understand that. The whips have done an outstanding job. I also thank every member and senator on our team—the Liberal and National members and senators. I acknowledge the hard work that they do in their own constituencies. Sometimes you read in the press that, when parliament rises, the parliamentarians go on holiday or take leave. The reality, as we all know, is that the work in one’s own electorate is often far more demanding, in terms of hours and the range of challenges that you face, than the work that we do here—although that is very challenging as well. The role of members and senator gets more challenging each day as the complexity of government increases and the number of people seeking assistance from their MPs becomes greater than ever. The internet has obviously made that work, that interaction, more intense, and MPs are routinely dealing with hundreds and hundreds of emails and other correspondence every week.

I thank all of our staff on the coalition side. I said that the Library’s job is to make us look good—to make us look intelligent, I should say!—and our staff have to do much the same thing. I thank all of our coalition staff—in particular, the staff who work in our electorates away from the limelight of Canberra. In terms of my own office, I recognise in particular the hard work of my Chief of Staff, Chris Kenny, and my Deputy Chief of Staff, Peta Credlin. I also thank Tony Parkinson, Sally Cray and our other advisers—including Stephen Ellis, who has worked so closely, so hard and for so long with Ian Macfarlane in the negotiations. Presenting the opposition’s case to the press gallery is often a challenge, and our media team has taken that on very well. Mark Westfield, Andrew Hirst and our whole press office have done a remarkable job. The Prime Minister said that, as a national leader, the range of inquiries you get in your electorate office goes well beyond local matters. With respect, I think that applies to just about every member of parliament—and obviously more so to the party leaders. I acknowledge the tireless work of the team in my electorate office—in particular, Nick Berry, Pat McGrath, Bruce Notley-Smith, Jacqui Kempler and Melissa Chan.

Can I conclude where I began and speak about our families. This is a very special time of year. Next year will be an election year. It will be a tough year for all of us. I thank once again the families of every member and senator in this place. Without their support and love, none of us could do our job. I especially thank my family. They often take it very tough when their husband and father is under attack—and that is the occupation of a member of parliament. They have stood by me during this tough year, as I know the families of every other member have done. As we go into this Christmas break, let us resolve to love our families more than ever. Let us to rest and reflect and return refreshed for a year of debate—no doubt there will be some strong disagreement, but all of it will be conducted passionately in the national interest.

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