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

on indulgence—I begin by congratulating my friend Bill Shorten on what was an extraordinary valedictory, which was given an entirely appropriate response of acclamation by all those who are here and will be given by all those who read that speech, because Bill's contribution has been extraordinary. He went through the three phases of that contribution to public life: as a trade union leader of the Australian Workers Union, as the member for Maribyrnong and as a parliamentarian and, importantly, one of the small number of people who've had the privilege of leading Australia's oldest and greatest political party, the Australian Labor Party. The Australian Labor Party formed in 1891 and has had fewer leaders than Australia has had Prime Ministers. For Bill to lead our great party for six years with distinction is something that I know he is quite rightly proud of.

The member for Maribyrnong has a big party starting soon as well, and fair enough. I expect the Labor Party might get some of the bill given how many people are here. They are here out of respect for his contribution to public life. Indeed, he has a great deal to celebrate and so much to be proud of.

They say in this place that you can't keep a secret, but when I walked out with Bill into the Prime Minister's courtyard to announce what he would be doing with the next part of his life with Chloe and Clem, we were both shocked that sometimes you can keep a secret in this place for a period of time because I think that was kept in confidence. Bill and I had discussions where he informed me that he wanted to look for a new challenge, and it's a new challenge that is consistent with the old challenges that he has not only sought but met—not an easy life, but the next thing he can do to contribute to the country and, in this case, to the education of young Australians and to those people who will go through the next phase of their life looking for a future career.

It would have been totally understandable in my view if Bill had chosen to walk away after what was disappointing in 2019. No-one had worked harder to rebuild Labor in opposition. No-one had given more of their time or energy to making the case for a Labor government. As I think only people who have been the Leader of the Opposition would know, it's a tough job. Bill did it with distinction. He did it with commitment. He did it with passion to make a difference and to endeavour not once but twice, as he said, to take Labor back into government. Because, at the end of the day, if you are not in government, you can't make the change to the country that you want to make.

So no-one would have thought any less of Bill had he chosen a quiet life. Instead, it will always be to Bill's credit that he channelled that disappointment into fighting for the victims of robodebt. He approached me as the Labor leader and advocated so strongly for a royal commission for the victims of that dark period, that stain on Australian public life that had such a devastating impact—and, in some cases, a final impact—on too many Australians.

He then returned to serve as a cabinet minister. He has done so much to get the NDIS back onto a sustainable footing, working across the parliament to achieve the reform that was necessary—a big and complex challenge but so important to the future of our nation and the lives of people with disability.

Across three Labor governments—and there aren't many people who have served in three Labor governments as ministers—Bill has done big things. But he's also done small things that have made a big difference. He's always been someone interested in ideas, in change and in how things work and how they can work even better. The clearest illustration of that is that Bill started his parliamentary career as the parliamentary secretary for disabilities and leaves here as the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Bill, your story is one of service—service to the AWU and the labour movement, service to the Australian Labor Party and, most importantly, service to the people of Australia. We know that is a story in which you are now going to write the next chapter—off to a new role at the University of Canberra. I'm sure the Minister for Education is bracing for a lot of constructive engagement, the odd bit of advice and the odd representation! It is not a member of the Group of Eight but perhaps the Group of Eight might become the 'Group of Nine', given your history of making a difference wherever you have been. You've given so much to the parliament, to Labor, to the trade union movement and to Australia.

We know that you have more to give, and we know that Chloe and your wonderful family have been with you. We can't do it without our families. To them: on behalf of the Australian Labor Party, I thank you for the sacrifice you have made as well. It's not easy. You were there campaigning through two terms, two election campaigns, and for much longer than that—for six of the electoral cycles we have gone through. I thank you for your extraordinary contribution as well. I'll see you all down the road and have a beer; look forward to it! Well done, Bill.

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