Russell Broadbent (Monash, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was here for the demise of one of Australia's most popular Prime Ministers, RJL Hawke. I am here today for the demise of another leader of a political party in Michael McCormack. I have great respect for Michael and all that he's done. On every occasion that I had dealings with him as the Leader of the Nationals and as the Deputy Prime Minister of this country, he was a man of the highest integrity with a heart and a care for the people of regional Australia and this nation unparalleled by many members of parliament. It was an honour to work with Michael.

I also have the greatest respect for those people who knew that sticking with their leader even as he was in demise would cost them their ministerial position or other higher positions in the parliament. I have respect for their dedication to their leader of the day, standing with them in the full knowledge that the ministries that they cherish or the jobs that they cherish go with their decency and their concern to stand with the leader of the day. Having supported the leader of the day a number of times myself and having always supported the leader—once something that I shared with a former member of this parliament named Daryl Melham—there is a place for people of honour and people of substance, like those whom we have seen in the National Party today.