Self-described stickybeak Penny Wright says being a senator has allowed her to ignore her mother's advice to mind her own business.
She's been able to indulge her curiosity, invite herself to places and poke around in other people's lives.
"It's a job like no other," she says.
But delivering her final speech to the Senate on Wednesday, Senator Wright admitted she was looking forward to experiencing some of life's luxuries again.
Like sleep, reading for pleasure and visiting neighbours.
Senator Wright, a former lawyer, entered the Senate in 2011 and has spent her term focusing on justice issues, mental health and human rights.
The South Australian senator, who will stand down due to an illness in the family, reflected on some of her most memorable committee moments.
She says investigating how 23-year-old Iranian asylum seeker Reza Berati was killed on Manus Island was particularly difficult.
"He was the same age as my daughter," she said.
She said some of her fondest memories were travelling around rural areas, listening to the hopes and fears of the people.
"Although the scones and lamingtons proved hazardous for my waistline, I loved the chance to learn from people who could help me develop policy that was relevant to their needs," she said.
She wants to see more women following in her footsteps to federal parliament, but says it isn't an easy ride.
"We work in a challenging and often adversarial environment which rewards behaviours that would have you disciplined or ostracised in a normal workplace."
Government Senate leader Eric Abetz said Senator Wright had experienced a dynamic period of Australian politics and, in a short time, had seen a few prime ministers and a few Greens leaders.
"And only one Liberal leader but that was, I think, to good luck rather than good management," he joked.
Opposition leader in the Senate, Penny Wong, said she would be the lone `Penny W' in the upper house once Senator Wright departs, adding people often confused the pair.
She acknowledged Senator Wright's dedication to human rights and the law.
