Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

(—) (): Mr President, you and I come from the great state of Tasmania. Tasmania has a very proud record of having had somebody that used to be in the Labor Party seeing the light and becoming Tasmania's only Prime Minister. I of course refer to Joseph Lyons, shifting from the Labor Party to the cause that advanced the nation. If that which is asserted about Mr Turnbull is correct, he then follows that great model of Joseph Lyons who, having seen the problems of the Labor Party, came across to the conservative side of politics and did untold good for our nation in times of economic circumstances which we would not have wished on our nation. I say to the honourable senator that, if that which she asserts is true, I welcome the fact that Mr Turnbull saw the light, and I trust others on that side will as well. (Time expired)