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

Oh well, not at all. He has also shown grit. Some might say he's been optimistically valiant in advocating a moderate approach to key debates such as water, environment and climate. He was a key advocate, within his party, the community and this parliament, for achieving marriage equality. With his characteristic humility today he spoke about his small part, but I was there, and he played more than a small part.

I think in politics you see a lot of people who have a lot more spin than substance. Some might say in this building that's the norm. With Senator Birmingham there's a lot more substance than spin. Unlike many in this building, he never promotes how good he is or tells people how smart he is, but he is a man of enormous competence and high intellect. I think in politics you learn from the people with whom you work, but you also learn from the people with whom you contest. I can confess to the chamber that Simon Birmingham is much more patient than Penny Wong. He also is a man who keeps his perspective. I think that is the key to why Senator Birmingham remains calm. He keeps perspective in the moment, and it is one of the reasons he has been such a good leader in this place and one of the reasons he was such an effective minister.

We also have both learnt things in the Pacific. We learnt the difference between kava in Vanuatu and sakau in FSM. Oh, Micmac has left. I was really making that joke for him. Oh dear! I have to say that one of the things I learnt then about Senator Birmingham was this: despite having partaken much more than he should have—much more than was advisable—of the sakau, which is the kava of FSM, he nevertheless managed to deliver a competent, clear, coherent speech, albeit very, very slowly.

As Senator Birmingham said, serving in this place is an extraordinary privilege. Serving as a minister is an extraordinary privilege. Serving in the cabinet of the country and as leader in this place is the honour of a lifetime. I salute Senator Birmingham's career as a great contribution to the nation. Few Australians have the capacity and platform to contribute to public debate in the way all of us in here are able.

As Senator Birmingham described today, briefly, it also brings great costs, most of all to those who we love: a lot of time away from home, anniversaries, birthdays and celebrations missed. I know, Courtney, Tilly and Amelia, you are, I'm sure, looking forward to having a bit more time with your husband and dad, and I wish you all the best for that.

On behalf of Labor senators, and personally, I congratulate Senator Birmingham on his service in this place. I thank him for his friendship and I wish him all the very best for what's next.