Zed Seselja (ACT, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Treasury and Finance) Share this | Hansard source

In summing up, I take the opportunity on behalf of all colleagues, I'm sure, and particularly colleagues in the Liberal and National parties, to thank you very much and honour you for your 40 years of public life, Senator Macdonald, and for your almost 30 years in this place. That is a rare achievement. I myself can't imagine still being here in another 23 or so years, but to have achieved that is something that can never, ever be taken away from you. There is no doubt that both your supporters and your opponents would agree that you are someone who fights very, very hard for the things you believe in, including the regions and Queensland, and North Queensland in particular. You fight hard for really important industries in our nation—you mentioned some of those—and you are someone who has never taken a backwards step. I'm sure that Senator Cameron and Senator Wong will particularly miss you and your contributions during question time—and others.