Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—We all answer to higher authorities in this place, and Paula, Poppy and James are the higher authority to whom the Minister for Health and Aged Care answers. I could not be more grateful to the minister for health, but, more significantly, to Paula, Poppy and James for allowing Greg to be here and serve in this place and serve as part of our team here, particularly over these last three years. I seek the indulgence of the House to refer to the member by his first name.

When Greg spoke to Josh and I before the last election and expressed to us his desire to go and be with his family, we called upon him one last time, not knowing in full what those three years might bring. And, over the course of these particularly last two years, I have relied on no-one more than Greg and Josh as we have sought, together with the Deputy Prime Minister and his predecessor, to navigate our way through this very difficult time. I could have thought to have no more brilliant mind, no greater friend, no person of greater integrity but, most importantly, someone with a massive heart.

I remember when, after the 2016 election and there was discussion about who would be the next health minister, and when I was asked about this I said, 'There is only one choice, and that is Greg Hunt.' As those who have been health ministers would know—there are a few in this chamber—it is one of the hardest portfolios to deal with. There are many stakeholders, all with the most worthy of cases and the most urgent of needs, and it is so difficult to prioritise those. And it is always the biggest of asks at the Expenditure Review Committee, and it is always the most difficult of moral challenges to seek to weigh those up. You want a health minister who has a big brain and a big heart, and I have had the great fortune to have a person who excels in those attributes more than most, if not any, I have known in this place.

We will speak of his achievements at other times—I know he doesn't want me to go on too much today. He'll expect them to be listed, I'm sure, at great length. But that won't be a difficult task, because they are many. Greg and I, over a long time, shared offices next to each other in opposition. He's helped me, as a dear friend, deal with some of the most difficult of challenges and issues. He's encouraged me. One of the nicest things he'd often say after a very long conversation, on whatever the topic might be, on a weekend or whenever it was, was, 'Mate, just go and be a dad for the rest of the day.' I would always seek to take that advice.

As we come to this point, I am obviously very sad to lose an incredible, great member of my team. I join with the Treasurer in saying we're both going to miss a very, very good mate and his constant encouragement to us both at a personal level as well as a professional level. Your father, mate, would be so proud, as Paula, I'm sure, is bursting with pride in you. Our loss is their great gain, and I know how much you're looking forward to that. I pray it'll be a great time of blessing for you and your family, and I look forward to our friendship in the many years to come outside of this place.

On behalf of the government, on behalf of the party I have the great privilege to lead, thank you for honouring this place. Thank you for honouring our party. Thank you for honouring your family. Thank you for honouring yourself in the way you've conducted yourself. Thank you, mate.

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