Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I join with Senator Evans in warmly congratulating Senator Joyce on his election as the Leader of the Nationals in the Senate. He has been a very strong advocate for rural and regional Australia in the three years that he has been in this place. He has made a big contribution to our coalition, both in government and in opposition, and I am sure he will be a great ally to us in our opposition to the great many faults of this Labor government. I look forward to working with him in opposition. I also join with Senator Evans in congratulating Nigel Scullion on his leadership of the National Party in the Senate. I thank him for his cooperation with us both in government and in opposition. I look forward to working with Senator Scullion in his role as Deputy Leader of the federal National Party, a role he will perform superbly.

I also join with Senator Evans in acknowledging the tremendous role that Senator Ellison has played for the coalition as both Manager of Government Business in the Senate and Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate, the most difficult of tasks as those on the opposite side know. He has done it with great skill and endeavour and patience and tolerance, as well as being an outstanding minister in the previous government. I join with Senator Evans in wishing Senator Ellison a very happy and prosperous future.