Annette Hurley (SA, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like today, in this 43rd parliament, to reply to Her Excellency’s address and discuss some of the aspects of the Governor-General’s speech. But firstly I would like to congratulate all the newly elected and returned senators and members, especially those on this side of the chamber. For each elected and returned member or senator, each term brings the wonderful honour of representing the constituencies that have elected them. It is also a profound responsibility to uphold the interests of the constituency and all Australians in this great parliament. To those who sat in the 42nd parliament and were unsuccessful in re-election, I offer my deepest commiseration, as each of us can respect the demanding nature of this place and each of us can value the individual contributions made in the desire to make the lives of Australians better no matter the ideology or side that we sit on.

I would also like to take the time to congratulate my South Australian colleagues on a successful campaign which saw a positive swing towards the Labor Party on a two-party-preferred basis. The sitting members of parliament achieved some amazing swings for the Labor Party, none more so than Kingston member Amanda Rishworth, who achieved a 9½ per cent swing, the largest to the Labor Party in this election. I would also like to congratulate Mr Nick Champion, the member for Wakefield, on his substantial swing, and Annabel Digance’s hard fought campaign in Boothby, which made it Australia’s third most marginal seat.

Debate interrupted.