Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

It sounds like you're contesting it! The Deputy Leader of the Opposition has known me for 35 years. We've always been opponents, but we've always been mates. Can I say to all of you—being a friend with someone who holds a different political view does not mean you dilute your views or your values. Can I thank the Leader of the House, who I have worked closely with in recent months and who I've been a friend and colleague with for 20 years. I want to thank my friend the Manager of Opposition Business, who I've also worked closely with for the benefit of the House through my entire speakership. He's been the one constant over the six years and three months. We got to know each other really well and worked on a basis of trust, and I want to thank him for the role he played in ensuring the cooperation and the procedures and processes that helped to put in place the bipartisan nature to ensure that we were able to keep sitting through COVID.

I thank the Deputy Speaker. I thank the former deputy speakers. I worked closely with you all. I want to thank the Whips, Bert and Chris, and your teams for all the work you've done during this difficult and trying period with the COVID pandemic. I thank former presidents of the Senate Parry and Ryan. Both are great friends—in the case of the latter, for more than 25 years. I thank the President of the Senate, Slade Brockman, who's been President, of course, only for a few weeks. I also thank the Department of Parliamentary Services, led by Rob Stefanic, with whom I've worked very closely for the entire time of my speakership. The department has overseen massive building and security upgrades, and embarked on a range of necessary reforms. Of course, I want to thank my Liberal Party colleagues here in the House for their support in nominating me for this role, particularly the Prime Minister, who supported me so strongly when I first put up my hand.

Finally, I thank my own staff, led by the incredible Cate Clunies-Ross. We met many years ago and worked together in the Howard government. When I appointed her my chief of staff, I told her that I wanted her to be frank and blunt with me about my performance and approach. She did not ponder this. She's never wavered, and that's been to my benefit and, can I say, to the benefit of the House. Cate, over those six years and three months, has fostered a magnificent Speaker's office team. You'd appreciate there were many staff over that period of time, but I just want to mention some long-standing advisors: Claudine Wedgwood-Gills, Stewart Woodley, Belinda McInnes and Raymond Knight. I knew that Cate could be as impartial as I wanted to be and have sought to be, and she has. She and my office have worked closely with all members on both sides of the House. Can I say—it might surprise you—that Cate and all of the staff have also dealt with some difficult people in this building at times, including some in this House, but always with great professionalism.

Colleagues, I've at all times sought to operate fairly, consistently and predictably. Of course, today is my last sitting day. Tomorrow morning, I will visit the Governor-General to tender my resignation first thing in the morning. Thank you. See you on the floor tomorrow.

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