Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend Senator Payne's valedictory this afternoon as I'll be travelling to the Pacific Island Forum Foreign Ministers Meeting. When I said this to Senator Payne, she said, 'I know how that feels.' But I did want to make some brief contributions before I left, to place on the record my respect for her contribution to this place over the past 26 years.

Senator Marise Payne is the longest-serving woman senator in Australian history. That's an extraordinary achievement, and it speaks to Senator Payne's determination and to her fortitude. I think all of us here know how hard it is to earn and retain preselection.