Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

A lot of people have commented on all Marise's firsts, and there are lots of them; her achievements are many—many firsts, many achievements. But she is the last person in this chamber to serve across two centuries. And I did meet her in the last century, so, while we're playing that game: I think it was at Federal Council in 1994, when the contest was between Malcolm Fraser and Tony Staley, that I first met Marise. So, we got back a way in the organisation. The point there is that Marise is truly someone of the Liberal Party. I looked at her first speech, and she quoted Menzies, as so many of us do—about the broad church, and what the Liberal Party is all about. And she's lived that for her entire time.

But something else that I also really liked from her first speech was her quote from Senator Annabelle Rankin, about 'lifting your eyes above the mist'. That's something you have to do in this job. Marise obviously had a very strong local focus with Western Sydney, but sometimes she had to lift her eyes to New South Wales and sometime she had to lift her eyes nationally, and then she had to lift her eyes globally. And she did that with such great aplomb.

I have to say, I was so delighted when Marise achieved the appointment as first defence minister. It really did please me to see that occur. I remember sending her a text when she stood in front of that green wall at the UN, and I was so proud to see Marise there in that place, representing our country. It's just one of those moments. You see so many people making a presentation in front of that green wall. Not many of us get the chance to do it. But I was very proud to see Marise do that.

Senator Farrell talked about the work Marise did in assisting people, and she herself talked about the number of people we got out of Afghanistan—a whole range of different people who needed to be moved. I still have on my phone the photographs of two disabled athletes that I sent to Marise one Saturday night while I was at dinner. A few hours later I sent the photograph of those same two disabled athletes on the aircraft flying out of Afghanistan. They were outside the gates when I sent the first photograph; they were inside the plane, leaving, in the second photograph. And they made it to the Paralympics. There were so many people you've helped—it's quite extraordinary.

Also, doing the hard stuff in the hard times: we talked about that time of moving people out of Afghanistan. It was in the middle of a bloody pandemic. I too remember the work that went on during that time, and Marise and the detail in her briefings about who needed what vaccines in what country, and where we should send them and how we should send them, and making sure they got there so we could help our neighbours in the region to also get through the pandemic. It was the toughest time for so many of us, but Marise was there dealing with all of that and making sure we were doing our bit in the region, which is what we promised to do. And through Marise's efforts—and the efforts of her team, I have to say—we made sure it was done. I had a few late-night meetings myself in one of my portfolios, as a member of the WADA board. One thing you would notice as you left the ministerial wing late at night was the doors that were open and the doors that were closed, and Marise's door was nearly always open—and not just open because there was someone there; they were open for business. A couple have already commented on that, but that's the work and the job. I have to say that the fact that, because Marise didn't play the game that some in the gallery wanted, she was treated so shamefully is a disgrace. Others might have tempered their language, but I'm not going to. I don't think it was fair. We all know, because we were there and saw what was happening, and it's just not right that, just because you don't play the game the way some want to play it, they'll turn on you. It shouldn't occur. So, Stuart, enjoy your time at the races. I'm sure you will.

I had the pleasure of working with Stuart as sports minister. The first thing Marise said to me at Government House after the 2019 election was: 'Guess what we get to do together? Sports diplomacy!' We did that during a pandemic, in the Pacific. But it was a lot of fun and, as so many have said, we made a difference. You gave so much, and I'm sure you'll keep on giving and that there are things to do, but we really do appreciate it. It's sad to see you go, but we wish you all the very best.

I have a message from someone from your Young Liberal career. They're a colleague from Tassie. 'If there was ever a person who could reflect on a political career with great pride, it would be Marise Payne. I well remember first meeting Marise in the very early 1990s in Young Liberal circles, when I recall being immensely impressed by her articulate, driven and compassionate nature as I witnessed her often vigorous and passionate participation in policy debates. Marise and I share similar values that reinforced to me her dedication and advocacy for the philosophical values that truly reflect the Liberal Party. More than 30 years later, I'm delighted to still call Marise a good friend and to acknowledge her service representing the people of New South Wales as a senator and as a minister in Liberal governments across the last decade—a distinguished career of achievement to be celebrated and thankful for. My very best wishes to Marise in her future endeavours.' That's from Jeremy Rockliff, the Premier of Tasmania.