The House of Representatives chamber – which is packed to the brim – burst into laughter at one of Bill Shorten’s zingers, as he says one of his greatest regrets is eating a sausage the wrong way during the 2016 election.
“When I announced I would not be contesting the next election, I [quoted] Frank Sinatra. ‘Regrets, I have had but a few, but then again too few to mention.’ You do regret your mistakes, you don’t forget your failures,” he said.
Bill Shorten’s awkward munching helped make democracy sausage word of the year in 2016.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“What I would give to go back to election day 2016 and turned [around] a sausage and bread and eat it a different way.”
The whole chamber roared with laughter, before Shorten finished his speech.
“I have always been and remain ambitious for Australia. This flows through to my faith in my people, my optimism for the future and deep and abiding love of our nation. I encourage future parliaments to carry their sense of ambition forward,” he said.
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“Be ambitious and mature on climate … be ambitious on tax reform, ambitious for a fairer relationship with our First Nations people.
“Perhaps most of all, be ambitious for the young people of this country, who currently feel disenfranchised, disengaged and dismissed by the political process.
“Be ambitious for what you all can accomplish here. It is a privilege to be a part of the power to forge … for [a] more productive, moderate, compassionate and inclusive Australia.
“My final advice to future parliamentarians, all of our time here is finite. Fill every unforgiving minute with 60 seconds of distance run and I … wish you well and, for the last time, I thank the House.”
All members of parliament and supporters rose to applaud Shorten, as he made his way through the crowd, shaking hands and giving hugs, before walking out with his family and friends.