Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to pay my acknowledgements on behalf of the National Party to Jacqui Lambie and her service as a senator for Tasmania. Mate, we've had lots and lots of discussions about a lot of things, including, obviously, in my portfolio as minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. You're the first Aboriginal Tasmanian to be in that place, and you've assisted me through so many of those matters, and we've had lots of deep and meaningful discussions which I think sometimes remain unresolved, as they do for many Australians.

It's been very difficult. You're another person who, through absolutely no fault of your own and through absolutely no mischief, has come to this particular place. You've clearly without mischief, because you've had the opportunity to clear these things up, because you've come to an election twice in this place, so that is the most unfortunate of circumstances.

Your particular passion that you bring to particular subjects and particular issues, I think, has been very effective: your work with veterans and your work around industrial relations—it doesn't matter what it is. I think you've been there and you've been able to deal with very specific matters, and I think you've been very effective in that regard. Tasmania is a small place and it has 12 senators, but it is a place that I think always feels a bit behind the yards, and you've managed to take them in front of the stalls to ensure that they're being heard all the time. You can't ask much more to be a senator in this place.

I know you share my love of camping, fishing and hunting. I know you're not allowed to say the last word, but I know we both enjoy that very much. I know you'll have a couple of months off. If you're not going to, just make it a rule—'I'm taking a couple of months off.' Enjoy all those things you love. Go and spend some time with your kids, who I'm sure will be very proud of your achievements. You've made an absolutely unique and remarkable contribution to this place. Thank you.