"Good morning, all.

I'm sure to many that the fact I'm not running for Nicholls again will be a surprise. It has certainly been a longtime hope of mine to represent my community in federal Parliament, and make no mistake, I still hope to fight for my local community. As a community activist, I have worked to secure funding for the Briagolong railway line in the government's budget, I have gotten the issue of Rosedale shirehood to the floors of Parliament, and just recently, as his final action, I convinced model-kyosanto to direct the Australian Rail Track Corporation to start work on reopening the Leongatha railway line.

Make no mistake, I still love my Gippsland community. But since the resignation of model-slater, I have had the privilege as serving as Prime Minister. It has been the honour of a lifetime, but also extremely difficult. It was extremely frustrating to be the leader of this nation, but with zero ability to actually legislate. I have tried to use the powers within ministerial control to enact positive changes, but the whole ordeal has taught me something.

I have decided that the best place for me to serve not only my Gippsland community, but the nation, will be in the Senate. Here in Nicholls, there is a great local candidate running for The Sensible Centre Team - bigdickenvy, who I am proud to stand behind as a great representative for regional Victoria. But to all Australians, I ask you to vote Sensible for the Senate.

If the Sensible Team is able to secure the balance of power in the Senate, we will be able to deliver for Australians by tempering the radical and dangerous ideas of the major parties with sensible thinking and community-based advocacy. If the government wants legislation passed, they will have to come to us. It was a very difficult decision to not run for Nicholls again, but I truly believe that, given my profile nationwide, I will be able to fight for the policies I believe in and for a better go for all Aussies in the Senate.

Over the next few days, I'm excited to finally get down onto the campaign trail and speak to Australians about our plan for a better, fairer, and more responsible nation, alongside my Sensible colleagues also running in the Senate. Thank you all very much for coming to see me today, and vote 1 Sensible Centre Team!"