Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

I'd like to associate myself with the remarks of Senator Brandis in relation to Senator Lambie. Senator Lambie has been an absolutely tough, resilient and, at most times, highly entertaining senator. She has been an absolute force of nature in this place. No-one was ever bored when Senator Lambie was on her feet. I didn't agree with everything that Senator Lambie argued in this place, but you could never say that she did not stand with conviction and courage for the issues that she was raising. I know the last couple of days she's been cursing me every time she's seen me—I was born about 10 kilometres from your dad! Your dad was born in a place called Larkhall, which is well known in central Scotland for a number of reasons. I think you've demonstrated the toughness of people from Larkhall in this place.

When you first came here as part of the PUP group with Clive Palmer, you quickly understood and had the sense to disassociate yourself from that party. That was one of the first good decisions you made in this place. You overcame massive personal and family challenges and you took that in your stride here. You became an advocate for a whole range of issues from your personal experience, which is always a good way to bring about arguments in this place.

You came to understand the importance of collective bargaining and the importance that the trade union movement plays in making sure that working people get decent rights and decent conditions at work and are treated with respect when they go on the workshop floor. You were understanding of the need for workers to have penalty rates. You didn't need anybody to argue that point—not like some, like Senator Hanson, who had to be convinced that this was the thing to do. You knew that immediately. You knew the importance of penalty rates to working families. You've stood up for working families on industrial relations. You've stood up for the veteran community. You have done an immense job while you've been here. I've personally found you to be extremely trustworthy in the dealings I've had with you. As I've said, I was never bored when you were on your feet in this place—not like I am many times in this place! You always kept us well entertained and focused on the issues that were important to you.

I thought you were treated disgracefully in this place by a number of those opposite. The way you were treated as a working-class woman coming here, arguing your point, I thought was awful. I'm glad that on some of the occasions I was here to support you when you were on your feet against some of the terrible propositions that were put in here as to your motivation and the way that you conducted yourself. I always thought it was very, very good.

I think you are a tough, uncompromising, working-class woman, and we need more like you in here. Less lawyers, more Lambies, I think. I think you've made a great contribution. I don't think you're finished, from my discussions with you. I feel for you, Jacqui. I feel for your staff and your family. It's a tough time that you're going through. If I personally can be of any help, I certainly offer that. And, on behalf of Labor, we want to thank you for the contribution that you've made in this place. As they say, thanks for the memories, because they're burned in there on some of your contributions. Thank you.