Key Points
- Scott Morrison delivered his valedictory speech to the House of Representatives in Canberra on Tuesday.
- He used the speech to thank family and colleagues, reiterate warnings on China, and even reference Taylor Swift.
- After more than 16 years in parliament, the former prime minister announced his retirement from politics in January.
Former prime minister Scott Morrison has made Taylor Swift song references in his , using his final speech to thank his family and colleagues and reiterate warnings on China.
"I can assure you there is no bad blood," he said while delivering his valedictory speech to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, fulfilling a request from his daughters.
"I've always been someone who has been able to ... shake it off."
After more than 16 years in parliament, the former prime minister said he would be leaving politics "released from any bitterness".
"I leave this place not as one of those timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat, I leave having given all in that arena, and there are plenty of scars to show for it," he told parliament.
"While politics may be an important and necessary place for service, I would also warn against it being a surrogate for finding identity, ultimate meaning and purpose in life. There are far better options than politics."
Morrison pays tribute to staff, colleagues and Anthony Albanese
At times becoming emotional, the 30th prime minister said his final speech was not a chance to run through a "bullet point list".
He paid tribute to his parliamentary staff and party colleagues, public servants for their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as his protection team, singling out officers who were injured in a car crash in Tasmania during the 2022 election.
"I will always be grateful for your sacrifice," Morrison said.
"When their colleagues rushed to them at the scene, their first words were – not knowing what had occurred – 'Is the boss okay?'
"Thank you."
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese shakes hands with former prime minister Scott Morrison after the latter delivered his valedictory speech in Canberra. Source: AAP / Lukas Coch
"Too often in this place, we confuse differences of policy with judgements about people's intent and motives. This is not good for our policy," he said.
"We might disagree but we need to honour the good intentions of all of us."
Former PM reiterates warning on China
The former prime minister used the speech to give a warning for the economy not to be "reinstitutionalised", while also sounding the alarm on strategic competition and China.
"The 2022 election may have provided an opportunity for Beijing to step back from their failed attempts at coercion, but we must not be deluded," he said.
"Tactics change but their strategy remains the same. We're not alone in waking up to this threat."
Nods to Taylor Swift
Morrison also managed to work in references to Taylor Swift albums during his speech at the request of his daughters Abbey and Lily, who were in the chamber for the address.
"It is true that my political opponents have often made me see red," he said.
"Often when subjected to the tortured poets who would rise to attack my reputation, in response I always thought it important to be fearless and speak now, or forever hold my silence and allow those attacks to become folklore," he said, referencing multiple Swift album titles.
What's next for Scott Morrison?
Morrison's departure from federal politics will trigger a by-election in the southern Sydney seat of Cook, but a date is yet to be set for the poll.
Morrison served as prime minister between 2018 to 2022, having gained the leadership following tensions within the Coalition, replacing previous prime minister Malcolm Turnbull.
He guided the party to a "miracle" election victory in 2019, but soon became mired in controversy and his decision to fly to Hawaii for a holiday while the nation burnt.
Morrison also led the country through the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and national lockdowns, launching the job-saving JobKeeper scheme — but he came under fire for the response to the vaccine rollout.
He was also widely criticised when it later emerged he quietly , despite there being incumbent ministers in those portfolios.
Morrison was instrumental in creating and launching the AUKUS defence agreement with the US and the UK which is set to deliver nuclear-powered submarines to Australia.
Albanese paid tribute in parliament to his predecessor on Tuesday.
"He has certainly left nothing on the field, and he can be proud of that. He has shown a real respect for this parliament," he said.
"I can say on behalf of the Australian Labor Party that prime minister Morrison was a truly formidable opponent."
Morrison is set to join the United States-based consulting firm American Global Strategies, as well as take up an advisory role with DYNE Maritime, following his departure from politics.
