Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I want to say to the member for Leichhardt that that was a fairly sanitised version of his contribution to the party room, I might say. My recollection is somewhat different. Entschy was a case study in tenacity and the ability to stay on message and to demonstrate passion about what was important to him—he named a few of those topics, starting with mental health—and he did not give up. He didn't give up in relation to same-sex marriage. He didn't give up in relation to insurance for Far North Queensland. He didn't give up in relation to many other issues where he saw injustice and where he had a desire to try and make a difference to the people of Far North Queensland.

I don't speak on behalf of all my predecessors, but on behalf, I'm sure, of John Howard and also Brendan Nelson, Warren Entsch was a tour de force in the Howard years. He had a particularly forceful way in the party room, as I say, and John Howard felt that. It was as a result of his advocacy that he did make a very significant contribution. Similarly, Entschie, I might say your loyalty to Brendan Nelson was a hallmark of your character. You stood by him particularly at a time when he wasn't treated very well in this place. I know that he will never, ever forget that, and I'm sure he would want me to mention that today.

Just finally, Warren Entsch came into this place with a CV that has never and will never be matched in the history or future of this country. When he came to this chamber and into this parliament having been a crocodile wrestler, a bull rider, a cattle producer—which he was too modest to mention before—and many other things in between, you knew it was going to be a pretty interesting ride. Entschie, for all of those who've worked very closely with you and have respected you during work on same-sex marriage and migration matters as well, where you wore your heart on your sleeve and really put in effort for people who otherwise wouldn't have enjoyed time this country that they deserved, and for the people of Leichhardt and Far North Queensland, you really have been an exemplar. You've been a great ambassador of our party, and I'm sure we will continue to work with you in the next phase of your life. You have been a wonderful member of parliament, and we wish you health and every success in the future.

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