Julian McGauran (Victoria, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

‘Ms Gillard will make a fine Prime Minister’ were the ending words of the previous speaker, who is probably the only senator—and, for that matter, member of parliament—to go on Sky TV before the ballot itself. Let that be noted by her detractors when the time comes for payback. And payback is already happening: you are going to have to look for a new finance minister by the looks of things down in the House at this moment. I am told that Mr Lindsay Tanner is resigning and will not be recontesting. That little honeymoon has not lasted long.

And nothing has changed at all. All through question time you did not take the opportunity to change the direction of the government. What is the point of changing a leader if you are not going to change your policy and direction? Like all of around this place, I tuned in, glued to the press conference of the new Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, to whom I offer a parliamentary congratulations—no more, no less. It is a high office; I congratulate anyone who manages to scramble to that position, as they do.