Warren Truss will leave Parliament this year as one of the giants of the Nationals party.
His legacy will last for centuries, in a visible sense, through the roads, bridges, rail lines and airports that he has passionately supported and built, especially while Transport Minister.
Less visibly, his dignified and honourable approach has built bridges across party divides and between party colleagues as well. He has a Solomon-like ability to calmly judge the merits of competing arguments and conclude in a way that brings people together.
Under his leadership, the Nationals party rebuilt from a low ebb after the 2007 election. Earlier, he also played a key role in rebuilding the Queensland Nationals party after the demise of the Joh Bjelke-Petersen government.
Warren has enriched our country through his decency, his decisions and his direction. He will be sorely missed by the Parliament but gladly welcomed home by his “partner in politics” – his wife Lyn.
Like most politicians, Warren could not have done it without the support of Lyn. I wish them both an enjoyable retirement.
