Leyonhjelm’s federal farewell tour

The first libertarian elected to the Australian Parliament, Senator David Leyonhjelm, will speak for the last time in the chamber this week, ahead of his New South Wales election tilt.

The Liberal Democrats Senator, who was elected in 2013 and re-elected in 2016, will give his valedictory speech on Wednesday from 5pm. In it, he will offer some insight into the important role he played as a crossbencher, while lamenting the lack of principles of other political parties.

“In my first speech, I promised to the Australian people that I would never vote for a reduction in liberty or an increase in taxes, and I am proud to say I have held true to that promise,” Senator Leyonhjelm said.

“Of course, out of the nine crossbench Senators elected in 2013, I am the only one that has remained and survived the turbulent times,” he said. “And since I was elected, my party, the Liberal Democrats, has increased its representation four-fold: from just me, to one in WA and two in Victoria – not including our representatives at the council level.

“Our saying that libertarians are plotting to take over the world and leave everyone alone is coming along swimmingly.

“While this might be my federal farewell tour, I am not quitting politics – at least, that’s not the plan. Red tape and the nanny state remain the two issues I am passionate about, and I can make more of a difference to these state-based problems if I am elected in NSW on March 23.”

Senator Leyonhjelm will return to Canberra this week for the sitting week and a Senate committee hearing into his free speech bills, along with next week for a final grilling of public servants in Additional Estimates.

/Public Release.