Mr Tony Burke (Watson, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for the Arts) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There was an award given today which I think is worthy of acknowledgement. I'll be very brief. It's unusual for all of us to have any occasion where an award is given for our work in parliament, but an award was given both to the former member for Indi, Cathy McGowan, and to you, Mr Speaker.

The Accountability Round Table presented what is called the Parliamentary Integrity Award, and in that they acknowledge the work that you've done as chair—specifically some difficult decisions that you had to make during the medevac debate last year, where, effectively, you handed over a difficult decision to the House itself to resolve—and also for being the first Speaker ever to have been nominated by each side of the House, and I think it's important that the parliament simply note that and congratulate you on it.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, can I add to the Manager of Opposition Business's—

Opposition Members:

Opposition members interjecting—

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Seriously—

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister has the call.

Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'll ignore the petty interjections. I took the Manager of Opposition Business's statement as a serious attempt to commend the former member for Indi and the Speaker for their excellent work. I didn't think it was some sort of political tactic because—

Mr Albanese interjecting—

I note the Leader of the Opposition is now interjecting on us also. I would simply like to commend the Manager of Opposition Business for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. The government is very pleased to support the comments of the Manager of Opposition Business in commending both the former member for Indi—and I acknowledge the former member for Indi—and you, Mr Speaker, in particular, for your work. Mr Speaker, your stewardship of this House is absolutely exemplary, and we thank you for your stewardship of it every single day. Thank you.

Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the Manager of Opposition Business and the Prime Minister, and all members—as members leave.