Slade Brockman (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise tonight to make a brief contribution to acknowledge the extraordinary outcome for Australia of former senator Mathias Cormann being chosen as Secretary-General of the OECD. Many of us in this place know Mathias well, and I know him—I won't say 'more than anyone'—as well as anyone, having worked for him both in his electoral office, in opposition, and in his ministerial office, and having served with him, albeit for only a relatively short while, in this place.

It really is an extraordinary achievement not only for Mathias personally to achieve this outcome; perhaps more importantly, for all of us in this place, it's an extraordinary achievement for Australia. It's recognition of the fact that we, to use the proverbial phrase, punch above our weight in international affairs. I thank those opposite for their support—