Departing MPs get the last word

Retiring Liberals Tony Smith, Kevin Andrews and Steve Irons – as well as Nationals MP George Christensen – have bid farewell to politics in their final addresses to parliament.

Nationals MP George Christensen makes his valedictory speech on Thursday. Picture: AAP

Retiring Liberals Tony Smith, Kevin Andrews and Steve Irons – as well as Nationals MP George Christensen – have bid farewell to politics in their final addresses to parliament.

Queensland MP Mr Christensen hit out at the government’s Covid-19 policies and net-zero ­climate target in his final address, saying MPs needed greater freedom to vote against their own ­parties.

“There needs to be greater room in this place for backbenchers to say what they really think, publicly, in this chamber and to vote accordingly,” he said.

He also tagged politicians as “mongrels” or ­“poodles”, saying he had been a “proud mongrel” who fought for his electorate.

“Political mongrels might be mangy. They might growl when they’re grumpy. They might soil the carpet every so often. But they bark when needed and aren’t afraid to nip issues in the bud when needed as well,” he said.

Mr Smith, a former Speaker who is retiring after 21 years in parliament, said governments needed to refrain from “interfering” in people’s lives as he called for urgent tax reform.

He thanked former treasurer Peter Costello, who “took a chance” on hiring him when he was 23 years old, as well as former prime minister John Howard.

As a former Speaker, Mr Smith lamented the state of debate in the chamber, arguing that shouting cheapened the discussion and ­“dilutes” public respect.

“Further, to some of you, can I say there is no point in needlessly and consistently shouting, particularly in a near-empty chamber,” he said. “The volume of your voice never increases the quality of your argument.

“Rediscovering and fostering more civility in debate and parliamentary conduct would improve respect for our house.”

Mr Andrews reflected on his three-decade political career, which included serving as a minister in the Howard government.

A former minister for immigration, social services and ­defence, Mr Andrews is the longest-serving current member of the House of Representatives. He will depart politics at the election after he lost a preselection battle for his Victorian seat of Menzies.

In his final speech, he urged politicians to ­restrain from “factionalism” and “identity politics” as he called for national unity.

“The blight of factionalism and identity politics – which inflicts many spheres of ­national and community life ­beyond politics – must be ­resisted,” Mr Andrews said.

“If our political system is to thrive, it needs to find ways of traversing the new fault lines of the national polity, especially the growing chasm between the experiences and expectations of those who live in the inner suburbs of our capital cities.”

Mr Irons used his final speech to defend Scott Morrison against allegations of bullying.

He said the Prime Minister was “not a bully” and thanked him for years of friendship. “Your support and friendship and the advice you’ve given me over many years has been absolutely appreciated, and I thank you,” he said.