![](https://aapnews.imgdelivr.io/article-assets/2025021018020/433fea0ebc46883463773509bbb7d72a9b6c7f13f26f4ad2443133b491a52611.jpg)
Politicians have farewelled colleagues as community independents running at the federal election are urged to go after the "disrespectful party system".
Unlike Labor's Maria Vamvakinou and Graham Perrett and the Liberals' Paul Fletcher - who are retiring of their own volition after years in parliament - independent MP Kylea Tink is being forced out after one term in office.
The member for North Sydney's seat was abolished in 2024 in an Australian Electoral Commission redistribution.
![Independent Member for North Sydney Kylea Tink](https://aapnews.imgdelivr.io/article-assets/2025021018020/3b9b1263d0a967d55660bd4fc87ae595717e4d8988c0eeccacb497ac9ab4dbde.jpg)
Flanked by electorates held by other independents, Ms Tink could not run in a neighbouring seat without risking splitting the vote.
Delivering her valedictory speech in the House of Representatives on Monday, Ms Tink said she felt deep gratitude for the "surreal" opportunity to serve her community.
"We did the unthinkable and turned up on mass to take our parliamentary voice and vote back, rather than simply handing it over, yet again to an unresponsive and disrespectful party system," she said.
Ms Tink urged other community independents to "go get 'em" and thanked teal MPs for their friendship and partnership in securing change.
"You’ve got this next election - our country needs you, so please hold the line," she said.
Mr Fletcher, who holds the seat of Bradfield for the Liberals, will leave parliament after a career that included ministerial appointments in the former Turnbull and Morrison governments.
The retiring moderate and coalition frontbencher said he was a "strong believer" in the diversity of opinion in the party.
![Paul Fletcher (centre)](https://aapnews.imgdelivr.io/article-assets/2025021018024/12f33d35-2d66-46f2-b712-7ffb231b9199.jpg)
"The Liberal Party is at its best when both our conservative and small 'l' traditions are respected," he said.
"Most Liberal Party members and overwhelmingly our voters, have zero interest in factions and arcane internal ideological squabbles.
"They simply want to see a strong, capable, sensible centre-right government."
Mr Fletcher said he was proud of the discipline the coalition had shown under Peter Dutton's leadership.
"We are a real prospect for government which seemed a most unlikely thing two and a half years ago," he said.
Labor backbencher Graham Perrett urged the parliament to stand up to the "bullies" harming the transgender community as he bid farewell.
"If you let politicians determine private health matters, kids will die," he said.
"The young trans community needs kindness, courage and champions working for them right here under the big flag because this building belongs to all Australians."
![Labor Member for Morton Graeme Perrett](https://aapnews.imgdelivr.io/article-assets/2025021018028/6cb6b1c8-9bac-4886-82d3-283059068935.jpg)
He referenced a joke that the only thing you could count on in politics were your fingers, before saying he had seen "plenty of good" in the parliament.
South Australian Senator Leah Blyth was sworn in to replace Liberal stalwart Simon Birmingham, who announced his retirement at the end of 2024.
The Albanese government is expected to spend the week whittling down its to-do list before calling an election due by May 17.
Production tax credits for renewable hydrogen and critical minerals - part of Labor's Future Made in Australia manufacturing changes - form a critical pillar of its campaign platform and have been pushed to the Senate.
However, it is unclear whether the policy and other campaign strategies will be enough to buoy the government's election chances.
Labor was dealt a blow after losing ground in a Victorian by-election in the west Melbourne electorate of Werribee, once considered a stronghold.
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