It wouldn’t be the final sitting day for the year without a Christmas poem.
This year, Brisbane MP Madonna Jarrett took up the challenge, taking the baton from her colleague Josh Burns.
It’s called Nine Newbies from Queensland.
‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through this house I reflect on nine newbies from Queensland with nouse.
We fought tough campaigns with grit and care, and persuaded the voters to put us there.
We arrived in Canberra with the new team of feds,
While the vision of chaos still danced in our heads.
With Albo and all, we felt right at home
And soon realised we were not alone.
We learnt the ropes and to never miss a bell
Less the whip would make our life a living hell.
And then into the rabble of the Question Time pit
It soon became apparent there was plenty of whit.
As the speaker worked hard to manage the crowd,
interjections and jibes came thick and loud.
With the opposition in tatters, and fighting themselves,
the government got busy like little Christmas elves.
As the opposition frayed, and the voters saw red
The government kept delivering on what it said:
– Reduced HECs debt and home deposits; free healthcare and pills
– Tax cuts and home batteries reducing income ills
– Growing wages, lowering inflation and creating more jobs
Was all in stark contrast to the net zero sobs.
So Now Rennee; Now Ali, Now Kara and Jules;
On Emma; On Corrinne; On Rohan and Matt
It’s the end of the year; to our home turf we go,
We’ve done something good, and have lots to show.
But thanks to you all, for a great first run,
And we hope ‘26 will be just as much fun.