Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak only very briefly at this time of night on Dr Brendan Nelson’s departure from federal parliament. I do not do this very often. I just want to say to Brendan that I thoroughly enjoyed working with him. I got to know him through discussions on the pensioner issue. He is a very sincere and passionate man.

I know that Dr Nelson spent a lot of time with a lady in Victoria called Shirley from Glenroy. I have just spoken to her and she also wanted to pass on her thanks and gratitude to Dr Nelson for sitting down and really listening to her case and for supporting her. She still speaks very highly of him and has very fond memories. She wanted to give her thanks, as I give my thanks, to Brendan. I wish him all the best in his new role. One of the nicest guys in parliament is Brendan and I wish Dr Nelson, his wife and family all the very best in their new role.