Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—It has been a great privilege to work alongside Andrew Murray. Whilst I have not been as privileged to be as close to him as many, I would consider him a friend. I would certainly describe him as a very serious man. He takes his work in this place extremely seriously, but that does not completely describe a very complex character, with a great sense of humour and such a willing and adopting attitude to listen to everybody, to give everybody a hearing.

On a personal note, I have been very lucky as he has always been very generous with his advice to me. On one particular occasion I travelled to Perth to seek some advice from him, and, as noted in many of the very important amendments to this piece of Northern Territory legislation, his advice was reflected in them. I share Senator Evans’s views on taxation—it is not really my bag—but it is tremendous to see someone like Senator Murray with such dedication. I think you only become a great legislator if you focus specifically on one issue, and I think that will probably be a trend. The great legislators who come to this place cannot afford to tinker with everything; you have to be somebody who is absolutely fair dinkum and make an incredible contribution in one area—and Andrew has certainly done that. That is certainly reflected in his successes in that area.

The work that he has done with institutionalised children will indeed, as Bill so articulately put it, be a real legacy in this place. I am quite sure that the work that he started and the great work that he has accomplished will be seen as a beacon to others who come to this place, and the issues that he fought so bravely, courageously and determinedly to thwart will not be part of the future and we will forever see them as in the past.

Those in this place who have already spoken have spoken about the great respect that Senator Murray is afforded by all sides of the Senate. We in the National Party know that the Libs and Labor are both wrong: he belongs firmly on the side of the Nationals! Mate, I have really appreciated all the time that you have spent with me in this place. You have made a fantastic and unique contribution to public life and the wider Australian community. Thank you.