George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

I must say, Senator Collins, even by the standards of political combat in this chamber that is a very mean-spirited question, because there are very few people in public affairs in this country who have contributed more than Mr Malcolm Turnbull over a very long life. There are very few like Mr Turnbull who, before he embarked on a political career—a parliamentary career—contributed significantly in the 1990s as the leader of the Australian Republican movement, whose family has contributed vastly as personal philanthropists to a variety of charitable causes and who could have lived out a very comfortable life without committing himself to public life but has chosen to do so.

We will be inviting the Australian people to compare Mr Malcolm Turnbull—the quality of the person that he is—to your leader, Mr Bill Shorten. (Time expired)