Tuesday, 26 November 2024

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (13:04): I rise to acknowledge the decision of my colleagues and thank them very much for placing their faith in me as the new Leader of the Nationals. I have been a member of the Nationals for some 22 years I think it is now, having initially come in to work for the then leader Peter Ryan, who was also my predecessor and who I had great respect for. I am absolutely honoured and stoked to be given the heavy title of being the Leader of the Nationals. It is one that I will wear with great pride.

We have been the voice of rural and regional Victoria for over a hundred years now, and we will continue to be so. Standing up for country Victoria is our raison d’être, our reason for being, and we will continue to do that. I acknowledge the work of my predecessor Peter Walsh, his wise counsel and his stable leadership for many years now, for 10 years here, and I look forward to working with my team.

I add that the people of Gippsland South will remain my ongoing priority. I remember Tim Fischer once saying he could not be the Leader of the Nationals if he was not the member for Farrer, and he could not be the Deputy Prime Minister if he was not the Leader of the Nationals. Gippsland South will always be my home and the area that I look after.