RETIRING Port Macquarie politician Rob Oakeshott paid tribute to former Prime Minister Julia Gillard in his emotional valedictory speech last week.
The Member for Lyne told Ms Gillard – who was in the chamber to hear the speech – that her late father would be proud of her.
When Ms Gillard walked in the chamber partway through the valedictory speech, he mistakenly said “thankyou Prime Minister”. “Thank you Julia,” he corrected himself.
Mr Oakeshott said he and Ms Gillard shook hands at the start of their agreement and she had fully delivered.
“We have done it, and so for that I dip my lid and say well done Prime Minister,” he said.
“We all get a bit of a sense about what’s going on in the joint. I sent the Prime Minister a text and it was to say: Your father would be proud of you.”
Clapping erupted across the chamber and public gallery.
Mr Oakeshott also joked about the length of his valedictory speech.
“I did consider being somewhat cute with final words – and do 17 words or 17 seconds,” he said.
“But this overwhelming urge that when you’ve got the microphone, use it … has won out in the end.”
The Port Macquarie MP said that after 17 years in public life, both in the state and federal parliament, the moment was right to leave.
“I’m basically a bit tired,” he said.
Mr Oakeshott said he was astonished at some of the criticism he received during the hung parliament.
“The fringe has invaded the middle. It’s got to be put back on the fringe,” he said.
“I have been shocked, frankly, over the last three years, to meet ugly Australia and just to see the width and depth of ugly Australia.”
