Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the House) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—On behalf of the government and at a personal level: I remember after my third year of not being selected for the Sydney uni debating team I asked who the selector was, and that was the first time in my life I heard the words 'Paul Fletcher'. Paul has made an extraordinary contribution for his side of politics. The role of Manager of Opposition Business is where we have worked most closely together, and on that I simply say that the most important thing about that relationship is that in the worst and most heated moments you can trust that you will always be honest with each other. Paul has been impeccably honest and has kept to every agreement that was made—and when he couldn't make an agreement, he just said so. In terms of the running of the parliament, I don't think you can ever ask for more than the integrity that comes with that.

In terms of his portfolio, for his side of politics, the legacy is extraordinary, and I'm glad he focused so much on Western Sydney Airport, which has been an issue which has gone back and forth—certainly well before I arrived here, and before the Leader of the Opposition arrived here. It was a live issue when the Prime Minister first arrived here. To have played a significant role in that development is something he'll be forever proud of.

Can I simply say, on behalf of the government and as someone who, like the member for Bradfield, knows there's nothing wrong with being loyal to a party and being able to say so—it's not why all of us are here, but it's why most of us are here—for your side of politics, you have been true to your party, true to your values and true to yourself, and you leave here with your head held high.

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