Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

Sorry. Apologies. Scrub the Hansardan incredible fighter for the people of Western Australia. It's late.

One of your many achievements that hasn't been mentioned tonight, though, Linda, is the incredible work that you did reinstating the howitzer Defence project for the people of Geelong after it was callously cancelled by the former Labor government. I remember that day so well: standing in Waurn Ponds, making that announcement committing to bring back Defence vehicle manufacturing to Geelong with the howitzer Defence project. That was, of course, just prior to the 2019 election, when I was the member for Corangamite. Now at Avalon we have the most amazing Hanwha Armoured Vehicle Centre of Excellence. It is incredible, delivering not only the howitzer Defence project but also phase 3 of Land 400. That's just one of your many legacies where you understood the importance of defence industry, backing the men and women of the ADF and making sure that they have the capability they need to keep them safe whenever they are called to serve our country on the battlefield. It was a disgrace that that project was cancelled by the former Labor government, and it is a great credit to you, Linda, that, drawing on your expertise and your incredible service to our nation, you reinstated that project.

Thank you for the incredible work that you've done on modern slavery, for people with disability and for women. There is a very, very long list which I won't repeat. But the thing that really stands out to me, Linda, is that, no matter what you do, you do it with such courage. I have been your great friend over the last four or so years as you have taken on the injustice to which you were subjected so disgracefully, including by members of the Labor Party and by the government as a whole. I am so proud of the way you have fought. Your treatment was utterly disgraceful. It was debilitating, and I am so proud of the fact that you are still fighting for justice.

You have so much more to give. To you and to Rob, as a great team, I say that I know you will leave this place with many great plans. I absolutely cannot wait to see what you do next, but I know that, whatever it is, you will continue to serve to 100 per cent of your capability. You will be driven by the strongest sense of justice, care and kindness for others, and I wish you all the very best for the years ahead.