Barnaby Joyce (Queensland, National Party, Leader of The Nationals in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I will fix it up!

It has been an interesting year. As one of my friends who has nothing to do with politics said: ‘How long have you been in politics for?’ I said, ‘About six years,’ and he said, ‘Mate, you have aged about 15.’ And I think this year is responsible for five of them.

I would like to thank the attendants for putting up with us. You have done a great job and you are always polite. We might get a bit doughy but they never seem to fall asleep on us, which is great. I would like to thank the cleaners, especially the one who was still cleaning my room at around seven o’clock the other morning after you good people came round for a party and did not leave.

I would like to thank the people of the fourth estate, the good people in the media who convey this message out to the Australian people. It was interesting the other day when I was down at a function and a person snuck up on me who I realised was not from the media but from a very edgy group. I thought the person behind the camera was from his organisation, one that seems to blame Prince Philip and one-world government for basically everything. I said, ‘Mate, are you from the fourth estate?’ and he said, ‘No, no, I am normal; I am from the ABC.’

I would like to thank Rosemary Laing for the great work she has done, especially since Harry left the building. I would like to thank the beavering Cleaver for all the work he does and all the other people who have done so much work. I thank Ian and Peter, who have diligently made sure we arrived here and have also made sure that we get away in comcars. From my own side I would like to thank my friend, guide, confidant and philosopher Senator Nash, who is a tower of strength in the work that we do. And I am sure everybody else would like to thank their deputies for the power of work they do. I would like to thank Wacka, just for being here, for the grace of having an ex-shearer as a whip, and for the work he does. I would like to thank Senator Fifield for the work he does managing business. Good on you, Mitch. You have done a great job. I would also like to thank George, Eric, Chris, Bob—make the most of it, mate—Steve, Nick Xenophon and the retiring other Nick: Minchin. Most importantly I would like to thank our spouses and partners, the ever patient people who put up with this very peculiar life that we live down here. I would like to thank our children for the sacrifices they make. They have to put up with almost living in single-parent families, whether they like it or not, because they have people in their family involved in politics. I would like to thank Dougie Cameron for making the whole place entertaining! People do not understand it, but in here it is a lot like the football paddock. Once you get outside the door it is the changing room, and no-one plays football in the changing room. Although everybody might think that everyone is a partisan animal, people are actually quite good natured once they get out the door. I thank them all. I wish you all a safe and blessed Christmas. May you have a great Christmas with your family or whoever is special to you. If not, maybe you can come up to our place and we will look after you. Thank you and God bless.