PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION

Senator CANAVAN (Queensland—Leader of the Nationals) (19:09): I won't be long, but I did want to pay tribute and put on record my admiration for Senator Whish-Wilson. I apologise I couldn't be in the chamber for your valedictory speech, due to other commitments, but I do want to pay credit to the contribution you've made. I saw that particularly firsthand as chair and deputy chair of the various Regional and Rural Affairs and Transport Committees.

Senator Whish-Wilson had enormous knowledge of very detailed agricultural and farming issues, so much so that I thought, at some stages, he could have been a Nat. But then, over the past year, he really got stuck into me! I gave it back too.

So I just want to let you know none of it's personal. I might have a slightly different tone than Senator Pocock. I do think this place is a battleground.

It's not all about love; we're going to have disagreements from time to time. I think we've got to talk those out, debate those out, to get to better outcomes. You can leave this place with your head held high knowing that you engaged in that battle in a respectful way, in a determined way, and gave it your all.

So all the best, Senator Whish-Wilson, with your future career, and thank you for your service to our nation. The ACTING DEPUTY PRESIDENT ( Senator Marielle Smith ): I believe that concludes the valedictory and probably calls time on the prop!