Andrew Laming (Bowman, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise on indulgence for two reasons. Obviously, a beam of sunshine has shone into this chamber tonight with contributions from incredible characters on both sides of the chamber but there is also a more serious matter. I do want to say how inspiring it has been, in the career that we choose, to hear from Andrew Southcott, my doctor colleague; Teresa Gambaro, the warrior woman from Brisbane; Bruce Billson, whose extraordinary and often evangelical contribution is one of the great speeches we have heard in this chamber; Gary Gray, a man of principle over politics, with respect on both sides of this chamber; John Cobb, the quintessential Australian, who looked after parts of this country many of us will never get to see or visit; and, finally, Mal Brough, who changed the way we looked at Indigenous affairs and made an extraordinary commitment to many young and vulnerable children who may have a different life path and trajectory thanks to his devoted intervention.

The bar in politics can too often be low and all of you have contributed to raising it. There is nothing special about us as politicians but our service is quite unique. That was exemplified today, and I think both sides of the chamber would recognise it. I want to finish by saying that every one of us would be united in being gravely concerned about the fate of my very, very good friend and northern neighbour, Ross Vasta, who at the moment has very significant health concerns. We are unified in being behind him, his wife and his children in this difficult time.

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