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

My apologies to those upstairs waiting for a drink and something to eat. Probably, apologies to the caterers as well. I just want to associate myself with my colleagues' comments tonight—from Michaelia and from all across the chamber. How we conduct the traditions of this institution is important, and it reflects on us. The way that your valedictory tonight has been conducted, attended and observed is a reflection on our respect for the chamber. The way that it hasn't been attended and respected is a reflection on those on the other side of the chamber, and it's to their shame and it's a stain on this place. The way that you were treated—I was sitting next to you during all of that period in the last parliament. I worked with you night and day through COVID and all of those events to ensure that Australians were able to get through the pandemic safely. You were looking after disadvantaged Australians on the NDIS at that time. I was dealing with aged care. But to see the heartless and callous way that you were attacked in this place for political gain is a stain on this place. It really is. You said in your speech that they found your breaking point. I think the way that you continue to conduct yourself shows that they didn't break you. You're an incredibly strong woman, person, colleague and friend who we all value enormously, and you deserved better, and the fact that you have been progressively vindicated is a demonstration of that to us all. There are things that occurred here in the chamber but also within the legal system that are an absolute disgrace, in my view, and it's an absolute tribute to you that you continue to fight.

The achievements that you've made during your time have been so eloquently described by our colleagues here tonight, as has the respect that we have for you as a colleague. I first met you when you were involved with the secretariat and we were campaigning to get campaigns done and colleagues elected and all of those sorts of things,. I can only reflect on that experience and everything that you put into everything that you did for the benefit of the campaigns that you were working on and in the portfolios for the benefit of the country. To have seen you achieve all of the things that you did is a thing of great pride for us all, because when our colleagues are succeeding it is a success for us too. We all carry that together.

What we achieved during the last parliament in getting this country through the pandemic was extraordinary. When you look at it in the context of other countries around the world, we were at the pinnacle of that, and for you and former prime minister Morrison to continue to be derided even now is a shame, because it's not deserved. So I am so delighted to see so many colleagues on their feet tonight paying tribute to you as a part of this process, which is an important part of the traditions of the parliament. As I said before, the way that we observe them is a demonstration of our respect or otherwise for this place that we all have the privilege to serve in, and it is the ultimate privilege in this country to serve in the parliament—and, I say, particularly in the Senate.

So, Linda, congratulations. Rob, thank you. It was bloody hard at times, but you, Rob, can be enormously proud—as you can, Linda—of Linda's amazing achievements in this place. We know that there is so much more to come, and we wish you all the very best for those.