Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—What a moment in this parliament, my friend. As someone who has been my federal local member and my state local member as the member for Barton for Canterbury, Linda Burney is also my very, very dear friend. She leaves parliament as she entered it; with a message of hope, with a positivity that I wish that we could all embrace in the context in which Linda Burney does. She is someone whose origins were tougher than probably anyone who has ever entered this place, and who has known loss and difficulty and who has had every reason to lose faith in humanity but has never lost a bit of it. She has always been so positive. As Linda Burney reflected on the referendum, she had faith in her fellow Australians, and that's a good thing. I would much rather be on the side of hope than on the side of fear, and Linda Burney has always been on the side of hope. She has engaged with grace, with kindness and, importantly, with remarkable courage. That's why she leaves this place with the admiration of anyone who has dealt with her and with the respect of everyone.

The member for Barton has always given her heart and soul to the causes that she champions and the people for whom she advocates. We see that in her words today and, importantly, we also see that in her deeds over two decades in which she has been determined to make a difference, whether it be with her local constituents in Canterbury, firstly, and then in Barton, whether it be in her engagement with people in the Labor Party, or whether it be with people across the chamber. I've never heard Linda Burney make a harsh statement about any individual in this place or anywhere else, in spite of what she has been subjected to in her life from time to time—including, unfortunately, in her political engagement. She has risen above it and has truly been able to take in the philosophy of 'when they go low, I go high'. Linda Burney has done that her whole life, and today, once again, she has done that.

She has made history as the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the New South Wales Parliament, as the first Indigenous woman to be elected to the House of Representatives, as the first Indigenous woman to serve as a cabinet minister, and as the first Indigenous woman to serve as the minister for Indigenous Australians. She has made a difference: by abolishing the CDP and replacing it with a plan for real jobs and real wages in remote communities; by expanding—doubling—the number of Indigenous rangers; and in justice reinvestment and remote training. With the tools of community empowerment and self-determination, we see the difference that she has made in practical areas like in giving people access to dialysis, the difference that she is making to turn around some of the terrible gap—the chasm—that still exists between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australia. Through our ERC processes, which are not always easy, Linda managed a four-billion dollar commitment to remote housing, which is an extraordinary achievement, as was creating the National Commissioner for Torres Strait Islander Children and Young People.

For Linda, so much of this work and so much of politics has been personal. That means disappointment can run deep and have an emotional impact. It means setbacks do hit home and they can bring tears. Linda's tears have mostly been of joy as well as occasionally of sadness.

Linda has such passion, such empathy, such true connection with people who engage with her. It's one of the reasons why we see the galleries packed here today with lifelong friends who will remain her lifelong friends, as will many people across this great chamber of parliament.

Linda will take her considerable presence from here after the election but we'll get to hold onto her wisdom and the power of her example. For that we are grateful as a parliament. I am grateful as leader of the Australian Labor Party. On a personal level, I am grateful for someone who I have a deep affection and love for.

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