An outgoing Liberal senator has called for an end to personal attacks in federal parliament, urging mutual respect.
Senator Chris Back used his valedictory speech on Tuesday night to call on the Senate to perform a "Mandela moment" and put the country ahead of all else.
He lamented the increasingly personal attacks being hurled across the floor of parliament in recent years.
"This parliament is the senior place in this country. It is from here that the standards are set," he told colleagues.
The West Australian senator also spoke of his disappointment at leaving parliament after eight years with unfinished business, including continued inconsistencies with the GST distribution among the states.
Senators from all sides of the chamber paid tribute to Senator Back, with Liberal colleague Ian Macdonald insisting the federal government and the nation were poorer for the fact he was never called upon to be a minister.
"I despair that the genuine talents of people like yourself were never called upon by Liberal prime ministers to administer departments so that Australia could benefit from your organisational ability, your good sense and your wide experience," the former Howard government minister told parliament.
"Chris was never a player in politics and regrettably these days that seems to be a prerequisite at times for advancement."
Senior Labor figure Penny Wong echoed Senator Back's call for mutual respect.
"We can come in here with spirited and different views but the simple fact of the matter is, when mutual respect for colleagues is lost this Senate ... is the poorer for it."
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