All of us in Federal Labor thank Melissa Parke for her years of dedicated service.

Since she won the seat of Fremantle in 2007, Melissa has been an unstinting champion for human rights, international development and social justice.

Melissa, like so many fine Labor foreign policy thinkers before her, is an internationalist. She has devoted her intellect, effort and energy to serving vulnerable people not only here in Australia, but anywhere Australia could lend a helping hand.

Melissa can be particularly proud that as Minister for International Development, she appointed Australia’s first Ambassador for Disability and Inclusive Development, with the goal of empowering people in some of the world’s poorest nations.

In the Caucus and the Parliament alike, Melissa has always stood up and spoken out for her beliefs, with an eloquence and fearless passion drawn from a deep well of integrity. For every minute of her time as a Federal MP, she has been true to herself.

As her friends and colleagues, we wish Melissa and her husband Warwick every happiness together in the next phase of their lives, and whatever the future brings.

FRIDAY, 22 JANUARY 2016

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