‘Great privilege’: Morrison delivers final speech to parliament
Former prime minister Scott Morrison touched on the economy, the rise of China and religion in his final speech to parliament as he thanked his constituents in the southern Sydney seat of Cook for the “great privilege” of serving them for more than 16 years.
Morrison, who entered parliament in 2007 and was prime minister for almost four years, announced his plans to resign from politics in January.
Speaking in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, Morrison said he had always been guided by the strong local values of his community, family and small business.
Scott Morrison delivers his valedictory speech.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“To my constituents in Cook. It has been my great privilege to have served you as your local member in this parliament for … more than 16 years … I thank you for the tremendous and steadfast support you have provided to me and my family, who join me here today,” he said.
Reflecting on lessons learnt, Morrison said all good governments must start with nurturing a strong, innovative, dynamic, entrepreneurial, market-based economy.
He spoke of his government’s handling of the pandemic, saying Australia emerged with one of the lowest COVID-19 fatality rates in the developed world.
On national security, Morrison stressed the importance of standing firm against coercion of “an aggressive Chinese Communist Party in Beijing, who thought we would shrink when pressed”.
“This requires continued vigilance and the connection between all spheres of policy to create and protect supply chains, integrate and align our strategic and military capabilities, so we can protect our sovereignty and counter the threat that is real and building,” he said.
Morrison, who is preparing to tour the United States in May to promote his forthcoming Christian book, Plans For Your Good, also spoke of his devotion to religion, saying he had no shame in his faith, which had guided him through his prime ministership.
“I leave this place appreciative and thankful, unburdened by offences, and released from any bitterness that can so often haunt post-political lives. This is due to my faith in Jesus Christ,” he said.
Listing the staff who had supported him during his prime ministership, Morrison gave particular thanks to two members of his Australian Federal Police security detail who were injured in a car accident when he was campaigning in Tasmania in the lead-up to the 2022 federal election.
Morrison also thanked past and present colleagues including former treasurer Josh Frydenberg and former Nationals leader Michael McCormack, and congratulated Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and his fiancee Jodie Haydon on their recent engagement.
“Jenny and I wish you all the very best for your life together. At some point, this all ends. And while there are no hard feelings, I obviously will be supporting my colleagues … to ensure that they hasten sooner rather than later,” he said.
“But when it does, you’ll look around and Jodie will be there. And I can assure you, as Jen has been, it makes a world of difference.”
Even Taylor Swift made her way into Morrison’s final speech after his daughters suggested he should “play a type of Taylor Swift bingo” and try to work the names of her albums into his remarks.
“Well, what’s a dad to do? Here I go,” he said.
“It is true that my political opponents have often made me see red, often when subjected to the tortured poets who would rise to attack my reputation. In response, I always thought it important to be fearless and speak now. Or forever hold my silence and allow those attacks to become folklore.
“Ever since leaving university in ... 1989, my great consolation has always been my lover, Jen ... who has always been there for me whenever I needed her from dawn and beyond the many midnights we have shared together. See? I’m actually a true new romantic after all. I can assure you there is no bad blood. As I’ve always been someone who has been able to ... shake it off. Anything for my daughters,” he said to chuckles in the chamber.
He ended his speech by saying: “Thank you, all those who have joined me here today, or are listening elsewhere, for your kind attention. And, as always – up, up, Cronulla!”
Albanese described Morrison as a “truly formidable opponent” and acknowledged his leadership during a “once-in-a-century pandemic”.
“We shouldn’t take for granted the fact that those decisions were made. And that required leadership of yourself as prime minister, and of the premiers and chief ministers working together across the political aisle,” Albanese said.
“Not everything was perfect. Today’s not a day to dwell on that. Today is a day to say that everyone went into those processes with good intentions. And I don’t doubt for one second that that was the case and that so many of those decisions were critical and that it was important also to project confidence, because the nation needed that confidence.”
Morrison’s resignation had been widely expected following the Coalition’s shattering 2022 election loss, in which the Liberals lost 18 seats to Labor, the Greens and teal independents.
His departure will trigger another federal byelection this year, with a crucial contest in the Melbourne electorate of Dunkley already set for Saturday following the death of Labor MP Peta Murphy in December.
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