Scott Morrison uses valedictory speech to play 'Taylor Swift bingo' with daughters

Australian Community Media

'What's a dad to do,' the former prime minister said before weaving all the pop star's album names into his speech.

Transcript

00:00 As most people know, subject only to God, my family is the centre of my life and at the very centre of our family is Jen.

00:07 I cannot imagine life without her. I love you Jen and always will. That is the cross you have to bear.

00:15 Your love has been my stay and strength. You are the other half of our joined soul.

00:23 Who by the grace of God brought Abby and Lily, our miracle girls, into our lives.

00:34 Who we celebrate and love.

00:37 I thank Abby and Lily for their own sacrifices as they have grown.

00:41 Necessitated by having a father in public life.

00:44 They are beautiful girls in every way as you can see.

00:47 And I could not be more proud of them as a father.

00:50 They are our joy and our delight and I am so pleased that we can now have the time that was necessarily denied us for so long.

00:58 In preparing for this day, Abby and Lily suggested that I should play a type of Taylor Swift bingo.

01:07 And I'm wearing the bracelet by the way.

01:11 It has ScoMo on it.

01:16 And they said by trying to work the names of every single Taylor Swift album into my remarks.

01:23 Well, what's a dad to do?

01:26 Here I go.

01:29 It is true that my political opponents have often made me see red.

01:35 Often when subjected to the tortured poets who would rise to attack my reputation.

01:42 In response, I always thought it important to be fearless and speak now.

01:49 Or forever hold my silence and allow those attacks to become folklore.

01:55 Ever since leaving university in 1989.

01:59 This has always been my approach.

02:04 My great consolation has always been my lover, Jen.

02:09 Who has always been there for me whenever I need her from dawn and beyond the many midnights we have shared together.

02:18 See, I'm actually a true numeromantic after all.

02:22 And I can show you there is no bad blood.

02:25 As I've always been someone who's been able to shake it off.

02:29 Anything for my daughters.

02:34 I also want to thank of course Jen's mum, Beth, who's looking after the cat and the dog today.

02:41 And Jen's late father, Roy, an amazing human being.

02:45 For always being on my side.

02:52 As well as Jen's siblings, Gary and Cecily and all their families.

02:57 Finally, I thank my mum, Marion, who's here.

03:02 Who is here with my late father today, John.

03:06 Together also I want to thank my brother, Alan.

03:10 Of whom I'm extremely proud.

03:13 My family growing up were the dominant example for my life.

03:17 They taught me that life is about what you contribute, not what you accumulate.

03:23 They taught me about the duty and dignity of public service.

03:31 But beyond this, I would never have known God and my saviour Jesus Christ if it was not for them.

03:39 I can think of no greater gift.

03:47 Okay, that's the emotional stuff.

03:50 Thank you.

03:51 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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