Kate Ellis farewells parliament with call to action for women and the Murray-Darling

A rallying call for women to aspire to parliament and a parting plea for action to save the River Murray have marked an emotional public farewell by Adelaide MP Kate Ellis.

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A rallying call for women to aspire to parliament and a parting plea for action to save the River Murray have marked an emotional public farewell by Adelaide MP Kate Ellis.

She used her valedictory speech in Federal Parliament yesterday to describe how she felt “truly mortified” by suggestions her exit proved that being a successful MP and a mother were incompatible.

“That is simply not true,” she said. “There is no job more rewarding, more interesting and stimulating than serving our community as a member of parliament.” Ms Ellis, 41, will retire at the next election after becoming the youngest woman to enter the House of Representatives, at age 26.

She said she would urge any woman with an interest “to do it because you will never regret it”.

“Just as I do not regret a single day that I’ve spent here,” she said during the emotional speech.

Tanya Plibersek with Kate Ellis after her Valedictory speech in the House of Representatives. Picture: Gary Ramage

Ms Ellis, pictured, also became the youngest government minister in 2007 at age 26 when she took on the sport and youth portfolios.

She built her career on childcare and early education policies, which she described as “unfinished business”.

She also emphasised that she was buoyed by the depth of female talent in her party, and took a swipe at the Liberal Party in the process.

“One day I looked around me and I just saw this inspiring army of passionate, talented, hard working women that we have in our caucus and I knew I could go,” she said.

“There is no shortage of remarkable Labor women who will fly the flag, achieve amazing things and prove to all that a woman’s place is in the parliament.

“To those opposite I say that this doesn’t happen organically. No boys club has ever voluntarily dismantled.”

As a Labor-commissioned report was handed down yesterday, Ms Ellis, who grew up in Mannum on the River Murray, made “one final plea” for the water asset: “We must put politics and special interest aside, overcome the corruption and mismanagement and let science dictate the path to a permanent and healthy river system.”

Fighting back tears, her first and “most heartfelt thanks” went to the local community, followed by her colleagues such as former Prime Minister Julia Gillard and SA Labor heavyweight Senator Don Farrell, staff and family.

Originally published as Kate Ellis farewells parliament with call to action for women and the Murray-Darling