Former prime minister Scott Morrison exits the House of Representatives after his valedictory speech.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
His departure to consult on defence and geopolitics opens up a prized seat being fought over by a former Liberal candidate who lives outside its boundaries,and a long-term mayor and businessman whose council decision-making was questioned by top Liberal officials in a confidential vetting.
In his speech,Morrison talked up the low rate of unemployment and suicide during the COVID-19 pandemic,the AUKUS security pact,mental health funding and his handling of the economy,the health of which Morrison urged MPs to never forget as they went about their political decision-making.
On national security,he stressed the importance of standing firm against coercion of “an aggressive Chinese Communist Party in Beijing,who thought we would shrink when pressed”.
“This requires continued vigilance and the connection between all spheres of policy to create and protect supply chains,integrate and align our strategic and military capabilities,so we can protect our sovereignty and counter the threat that is real and building,” he said.
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Morrison spoke of his love for his family and gave particular thanks to two members of his Australian Federal Police security detail who wereinjured in a car accident when he was campaigning in the lead-up to the last election.
He became emotional and paused four times during a speech that quoted the names of Taylor Swift’s albums and read sections of scripture.