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

I want to congratulate the member for Calwell on giving a final speech, a valedictory, that reflected her career and her character. It was full of grace and gratitude and particularly concentrated on the importance of supporting multiculturalism and Australia's diversity—something that she has done in her entire time in this place.

Her electorate, of course, is one of Australia's most multicultural. In any visit that I've made to that electorate, Maria is someone who has engaged with those multicultural communities, brought people together and enhanced social cohesion. She can be proud of all she has given in service of the Labor Party and our nation, and in Basem Abdo, whose campaign I was happy to launch with Maria at an early learning centre in her electorate in Calwell in December, she has found a replacement who will carry on a commitment to multiculturalism and to looking after the people of Calwell.

So, after a long and successful career, I congratulate Maria and I wish on behalf of the Australian Labor Party all the best for her future and that of her family.

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