The outgoing Tasmanian senator drew warm praise from Labor,Coalition and crossbench colleagues,who lined up to embrace her after her speech.
Attorney-General George Brandis said the high-profile crossbencher had made the Senate a richer place and Labor frontbencher Doug Cameron called for"less lawyers,more Lambies"in federal politics.
"We have all benefited from your company,your wisdom,your life experience and,in particular,from the passion. Passion is a word that is used too freely,too loosely,in politics,"Senator Brandis said.
"You have become one of the best-known and one of the best-liked people in this country since you joined the Senate,and the Senate is a better place,a much richer place,for your having served among us."