Forrest MP Nola Marino thanks community in farewell speech to cap off 17 years in Parliament

Longtime Forrest MP Nola Marino has used her farewell speech to thank the electorate, with the South West stalwart’s 17 years in Parliament coming to a close this week. Ms Marino will sit in Federal Parliament this week for the last time this year, which is likely to be her last ever with the Federal Election due by May. She said she wanted to thank the people of her electorate. “I began my first speech in this Parliament by thanking the people in my electorate of Forrest for the faith and confidence they showed in electing me to represent them in the Federal Parliament,” she said. “In this, my valedictory speech, I thank them most sincerely for that faith and confidence over six elections. “It has been an honour and a privilege to serve you — the people of Forrest — during these years, and I’ve been absolutely grateful for every single day I’ve had here.” Ms Marino was first elected to Parliament in 2007, taking over from Liberal veteran Geoff Prosser. Over the years she has contested six elections, and has received more than 60 per cent of the two-party-preferred vote four times. According to the outgoing Liberal, she was the 1038th member of the House of Representatives. Ms Marino also used her speech to call for the return of a Coalition government and for the party to stick to its roots. “To my Coalition colleagues, as a farmer, a small business owner and a regional Australian, I say that we have never needed a Coalition government more than we do right now,” she said. “I’ve been farming for over 50 years, and I’ve never been as worried. And it’s a genuine worry, as my colleagues know well. “To the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton and our team, including Ben Small the Liberal candidate for Forrest, all strength to your arms. “Make the most of every day, do everything you can to win the election, but never forget the real forgotten people every day, or what makes us Liberals.” While Ms Marino’s time as an MP may be coming to a close, the Herald understands she will be involved in helping the next generation of South West Liberals on the campaign trail, both on the State and Federal level. Candidate and former senator Ben Small will be looking to continue on the Liberal legacy of the seat, but will face a new kind of competition with teal-style candidate Sue Chapman putting her hat in the ring.