No chance to say goodbye – defeated MPs will rue not giving valedictory speeches
- Written by Amy Nethery, Associate professor of politics and policy, Deakin University
Former Greens leader Adam Bandt’s 15-year career in federal parliament came to an end in a nondescript park in Melbourne, far from the seat of power in Canberra.
He was there to concede defeat in the federal election. In one fell swoop, Bandt had lost his seat, his party’s leadership, his vocation and his living.
As a defeated MP, he was denied the opportunity to deliver a valedictory speech in parliament, which is available to politicians who go out on their own terms.
Instead, he stood in a garden, reflecting on his career highs and lows and thanking his family and supporters.
Adam Bandt draws his 15-year parliamentary career to a close after conceding defeat in his seat of Melbourne.Bandt wasn’t the only high-profile politician whose career was cut short without the formal opportunity to say goodbye to parliament.
At least 14 other MPs, including Peter Dutton, Bridget Archer, David Coleman, Michael Sukkar and Zoe Daniel, were sent on their way by voters without a valedictory to help draw a line under their parliamentary service.
Rite of passage
Valedictory speeches are vital for democratic renewal, because they help MPs navigate the complex changeover from the all-consuming role of a parliamentarian to life after politics.
In this regard, they are similar to other rituals, such as graduations, weddings and even funerals, which help participants and observers make sense of major life transitions. This is why valedictory speeches are a cherished rite of passage for many departing members.
Bill Shorten planned his retirement from politics and gave a valedictory speech[1] in November 2024. He knew he was one of the fortunate ones:
In 123 years of the storied history of the Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1,244 individuals have been elected to the House of Representatives, each introduced themselves in their first speech […] But only 216 ever got the chance to say goodbye, to give a valedictory. Political life can be tough. Election defeat, scandal, illness, Section 44. So today, I stand here neither defeated nor disposed, lucky to have served, fortunate to be able to say goodbye and thank you.
While first speeches have a long history in parliament, it was only in the 1980s that valedictory speeches[3] became widely available to departing MPs and senators.
Since then, valedictories have become one of the signature personal moments in a parliamentary career. They are often celebratory, friendly and funny in tone. Unsurprisingly, these speeches tend to be the most autobiographical – and frank – an MP will give in their career.
On their way out, members speak with less constraint. Cross-party friendships are frequently noted. Some speak about the enormous sacrifices made by their spouses and children, and moments of personal loss.
Life after politics
We interviewed[4] 39 former members of the Victorian parliament in 2020 about their experiences leaving parliament.
Many spoke of valedictory speeches being important touchstones in their transition to life post-parliament.
One former MP who gave a valedictory told us they “went out in the best way possible”:
My valedictory speech was probably one of the best speeches I’ve ever made, and I still go back and watch it occasionally […] My kids were there, and family were there. It was just a really nice way to finish up with a funny speech. Then everyone lines up on both sides to shake your hand.
No closure
For some who missed out, the absence of the ritual contributed to ongoing negative feelings about parliament and their political career generally.
Many former MPs experienced financial and emotional stress in their life on “civvy street”. Many found it difficult to establish an identity or career after politics.
For involuntary leavers, the difficulties of electoral loss can be compounded by the sense of exclusion from one of the key transitional practices, leading to a sense of alienation. One former MP we interviewed recalled:
One thing I did miss […] was I didn’t get to do a last speech. Very sad that I wasn’t able to round it off. There’s no closure and it’s almost like you’re just kicked out, here’s your basket of things from your desk and off you go.
New rituals
Given strangers are not permitted on the floor of the House or Senate, it is not possible for the vanquished to deliver conventional valedictories after an election.
Parliament should consider giving these former members and senators a comparable transitional process to draw a line under their political careers.
Some progress has been made. Since 2010, federal members who lost their seats can provide a written statement in lieu of a speech. A booklet of these statements is presented to the House early in the new parliament.
We recommended to the Parliament of Victoria that a valedictory event be held in the Queen’s Hall or another formal location.
Not all members want to go back to parliament – some may prefer to say goodbye in a local park.
But for those who do, this can be an important observance to mark the end of their contribution to public life and their identity as a parliamentarian.
References
- ^ valedictory speech (formerministers.dss.gov.au)
- ^ Lukas Coch/AAP (photos.aap.com.au)
- ^ valedictory speeches (www.aph.gov.au)
- ^ interviewed (www.deakin.edu.au)
- ^ Mick Tsikas/AAP (photos.aap.com.au)
Authors: Amy Nethery, Associate professor of politics and policy, Deakin University
