Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Well, I speak with mixed feelings. It's always great to talk about you, Senator Lambie, but very sad on this occasion to be saying goodbye to you from this place—though, as others have noted, it's surely not to be the last time that you occupy a seat in this building. I'm sure you'll continue to represent the people of Tasmania in some form or fashion somewhere in the Australian parliament.

My wife sent me a text message after she heard the news, saying, 'What are you going to do without your BFF now?' having filmed our pig video, and our various photos on social media. Jacqui, absolutely, you have been a strong and strident advocate for our state. You don't mince words; you say what you mean and you say it strongly, loudly and clearly, as Senator O'Neill said. I have to say that even before I got here that's something I respected about you. I may not have always agreed with you, and we've exchanged views on certain things, but you absolutely did not resile from the points you were trying to make on behalf of the people you represent. And while you were very vocal on matters north-west Tasmania, and did a very good job of that, you did represent the whole state as a senator. You did a very good job. I don't know how you did it, but I saw your car everywhere—with that big head of yours on the side of your vehicle, it was unmissable!

On behalf of the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team, and I include Eric and David—and, I'm sure, former Senator Parry as well—we do wish you well for the future. You do have a great future ahead of you. The people of Tasmania appreciate what you do and I'm sure will return you somewhere, somehow. But thank you once again, and best wishes to you and your staff.