Jason Clare (Blaxland, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—This morning we have been fortunate to hear three very personal, important and inspiring speeches. There has been a common thread that has run through all of those speeches, in Drummy's, in JA's and in the Bulldog's. For all three of these men who have served this parliament, all three would struggle to find an enemy on either that side or on this side of the House. You all have friends right across the aisle, and it is a mark of the gentlemen that you are.

After such a long night, where we sat here until around about 5 am in the morning, and many of us are living on a little amount of sleep, the way we've started the parliament this morning is inspiring for us all. It reminds those of us who are contesting the next election why we're here and how to do our job better. On behalf of the Labor Party: thank you very, very much for your service to this place and to our country. To your loved ones and to your staff: thank you for your service to you as individuals and to our country. We wish you all the very, very best in the next chapter of your lives.

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