Final words: Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum makes his valedictory speech in parliament. Photo: Penny Bradfield/Auspic
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce was among the parliamentarians to honour retiring Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum, who gave his valedictory speech in parliament last week.
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In his speech, Mr Drum offered further evidence of his continuing devotion to his party
“I love The Nationals and I genuinely believe in their movement, for over 100 years, putting regional issues at the front of our political debate,” he said.
“In politics, where numbers rule in a ruthless manner, we have 43 per cent of Australians living in two cities.
“I have a natural belief that if we go forward without a strong National Party, we will always lose out on the contested issues to the parties centred around the capital cities.
“I know The Nats are far from perfect, but we know our people, we work hard for our people and we drive each other to get better and better.”
Mr Joyce, Gippsland’s Darren Chester and Speaker of the House Andrew Wallace were among those to speak after Mr Drum gave his speech.
Political partnership: Retiring Federal Member for Nicholls Damian Drum with partner Ros Winzar at Parliament House last week.
Mr Chester said it was a mark of the man that he was unable to name an enemy of Mr Drum in parliament.
“As the National Party whip, he was actually the glue of the party room,” Mr Chester said.
“He held people together, even at times when the bonds were enormously strained. His mix of humility, grace and dignity is something we'll miss in our party room, but most of all we will miss his irreverence, his incredible sense of humour and his capacity to turn the worst situation into something quite funny — often inappropriately and often with quite gallows-like humour.
“As someone who experienced setbacks of your own as a footy coach, you taught us all that it doesn't define you and you bounce back stronger than ever.
“You made an incredible contribution. I wish you, Ros and your families great health and safe travels.”
The Speaker said he came into parliament with the Member for Nicholls in 2016.
“I think the Member for Nicholls is a dying breed in Australia now: a mix of larrikinism, irreverence and just a downright good, old-fashioned bloke,” he said.
Mr Drum described as "really humbling“ the opportunity afforded to him to be able to announce big infrastructure projects like the Echuca-Moama bridge, to fund the upgrade of the Shepparton rail line and to fund a new cancer centre at Goulburn Valley Health.
“To have millions of dollars spent in Yarrawonga, Echuca, Kyabram, Nagambie, Seymour and Shepparton gives you a sense that you have justified the faith that your constituents have placed in you,” he said.
“Of all the projects that I’ve been able to deliver, the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network is the one I’m most proud of.”
Mr Drum acknowledged the various councils that he had worked with across the Goulburn Valley — Mitchell Shire and Strathbogie Shire in the south, Moira and Campaspe shires in the north and the City of Greater Shepparton.
“I start just about every project with councils from a position of support and it’s only on rare occasions that I find it necessary to disagree or oppose a council project,” he said.
Mr Drum thanked his children, describing them as “the most wonderful human beings” and said wanting to spend more time with them had played a major part in his decision to not contest the next election.
"To Luke, Alyce, Gabby and Corey, as well as Josh, Sally, Willow, Olive and Sonny, I am really looking forward to spending more time together and not feeling guilty about missing a community event to do so,“ he said.
Mr Drum said putting your hand up for his job meant making significant sacrifices, including sacrificing time with families, partners, wives or husbands.
“For me, it’s now time to put family first, so Ros, thank you for enabling me to do my job. Thank you for actually helping me to understand a different point of view every now and again, and thank you for being a wonderful partner over the last 15 years,” he said.
