Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) | Hansard source

I rise on behalf of many Liberal colleagues today who unfortunately, due to time, will not be able to make a contribution to you, Simon, but also on behalf of myself. I will start my speech—Courtney will understand this, and, Simon, you will, but I don't think anybody else in the chamber will—with, 'We'll always have the night markets in Taiwan.'

As I said, I rise to pay tribute to my friend and colleague and our leader in this place, Simon Birmingham. I do so, of course, with sadness, but more importantly, Simon, I do so with immense respect and admiration for what you have done and what you have achieved in this place. In fact, you'll recall that we came into this place at around the same time. You arrived here in a casual vacancy in 2007, and I was elected in the 2007 election. I have to say, it has been a journey for you and me over almost, now, 18 years. I think you and I have often remarked to each other that it still feels quite literally like we arrived yesterday—and, yes, you do still look as good as you did back then. You rose from the considered backbench senator you were back then to the top place in this job. As Senator Wong articulated, Leader of the Government in the Senate—what an honour it is to hold that position.

I was also reflecting earlier today that it would not have been an easy task to take over as Leader of the Government in the Senate, in 2020, from someone I think we all acknowledge was a formidable predecessor, in Mathias Cormann. But very quickly you brought your own personality and your own style to the role, and you were able very quickly to win the respect of your team. But, more than that—and again it was articulated by the President and Senator Wong—you in fact won the respect of everyone in this place. I have been honoured to serve as your deputy since you took over as our leader. Your collegiate attitude, intelligence and ability to negotiate successful outcomes both within our team and within this place has, quite frankly, been second to none.

Unlike myself, I've heard you sometimes described as quietly spoken, but that certainly does not mean that you have had any trouble getting people to listen to you. The intellect, thoughtfulness, decency and, more than that, good humour that you have always brought to the debate in this place will long be remembered. You have without a doubt a proud history of service that anyone who has served in this place would be proud, themselves, to hold. From a backbencher to a parliamentary secretary and then on to an assistant minister before becoming the Minister for Education and Training in 2015, you went on to serve as the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment and then, of course, a role you discharged so well, the Minister for Finance and Vice-President of the Executive Council.

As many of us in this place know, having had the honour of being a minister, as glamorous as the title may be, it is not easy. You always, however, appeared to be doing it effortlessly, always on top of the issue and of your brief. But I, along with others, know how much hard work, long hours and anguish you and, as you so rightly acknowledged, your team put in to make it look that way. It is a credit to you—and I quite frankly have no idea how you do it—that you are never flustered. It is something I will need to learn from you, seriously. You always remain calm—note to self!—and thoughtful, no matter what is thrown at you. I'm sure that will be one of the great strengths that you take into your new role in the private sector.

In your first speech, you said this:

I come to this place looking for us to think big for at least the next few moments, to lift up above the humdrum, the sledging and the cynicism of day-to-day retail politics, to instead recall what inspired all of us: a desire to make a difference, a positive contribution, one that improves the lives of those living today and those of the generations to come.

I think, on any analysis, you have continued to strive for all those ideals over your time in the Senate. You have been driven to make a difference and to improve the lives of your fellow Australians, and I think you have succeeded well and truly in doing that. Like all of us in this place, we are senators and we know ultimately what our role is—to be a fierce advocate for the people of our state; in your case, South Australia. I certainly know, as we sat around the cabinet table for, in fact, our entire time together, that you would always argue, as you should have, stridently and persuasively for South Australia and for South Australians. You will recall many a time that some of the things you argued in favour of were in direct competition with the interests of Western Australia, but we were always able to agree, to disagree and to remain friends afterwards. And that is why—or that is one of the reasons why—you will leave this place today with the best wishes of everyone in the chamber.

Simon, for anyone who has served in the parliament, as you said, the greatest thing you can do is leave at a time of your own choosing and on your own terms. As we know, for so many, that is a rare thing in politics. But, after almost 18 years in this place, you have absolutely earned the right to do that. As you have articulated, the service you have given to your nation did come at a cost, a cost that each one of us understands but each one of us is also prepared to bear. But it is our family who bear the greatest costs. As you said, you've spent large amounts of time away from your home and away from your family. No doubt, Courtney and your daughters, Tilly and Amelia, will be absolutely delighted to have you home on a slightly more permanent basis.

So, Simon, this is it. As you embark on the next chapter in your career and your life, on behalf of all of us, I really do wish you all the very best. I want to thank you for your service to the Liberal Party of Australia and to the Liberal Party of South Australia. You have been a loyal servant to each and have made your mark on this nation. You have a legacy and will be long remembered in this place. Good luck, my friend, with everything ahead of you. You are welcome back to visit us any time.