Ricky Muir’s surprising first speech

Senator Ricky Muir gets a little choked up as he thanks his wife and children during his maiden speech to parliament.

Heartwarming ... Australian Motoring Enthusiast party Senator Ricky Muir choked up during his maiden speech in the Senate. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

HE may have just bought his first suit, by Motoring Enthusiast Party Senator Ricky Muir sure knows how to wear it with pride.

This afternoon, Mr Muir stood nervously in front of his colleagues, family and friends to deliver his maiden speech in parliament.

Following his disastrous interview with Mike Willesee on Channel 7last June, where he struggled to answer many important questions, such as defining the balance of power and explaining the "aftermarket" mobile industry, Mr Muir surprised everyone when he delivered an honest and frank speech in the Senate.

Refreshing ... Motoring Enthusiasts Party Senator Ricky Muir delivers his maiden speech in the Senate chamber. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Corp Australia

Fully aware of his previous big media performance, Mr Muir acknowledged in his introduction that "this must be one of the most anticipated inaugural speeches of all time — I apologise in advance if I don't deliver".

Then started what many have referred to as one of the most "beautifully human first speeches" to ever grace the floor of the Senate.

"I would like to thank the people of Victoria for giving me the opportunity to stand here before you all.

"I still pinch myself on a regular basis to make sure I'm not dreaming."

Not one to pretend, Mr Muir then pointed out that he was "wearing a suit, when before September 2104, I did not own a single suit, and had no intention of owning one".

"I wanted to work on a ... farm, factory or as a mechanic, wear stubbies and high vis vest," he told a tittering Senate.

Motoring Enthusuiasts Party senator Ricky Muir speaks about his surprising election to the Senate, and his working class upbringing in his maiden speech to parliament.

The 32-year-old, formerly out-of-work father of five had never been involved in politics until last year's election catapulted him into one of the nation's most prestigious — and powerful — jobs.

Defying all odds, Mr Muir was elected to the Senate on the back of minor party preferences despite receiving only 0.51 per cent of the primary vote — does not resemble the typical, smooth-talking, expensive suit-wearing career politician that has become the staple of the Australian government.

And during his maiden speech, the motoring enthusiast sought to highlight that fact.

After spending some time defining democracy, and then Australia's version of it, Mr Muir made it clear that he "tick[s] all the boxes to qualify to become a senator".

He said that "like so many other Australians, I never agreed to be restricted to a two-party system — two parties so ideologically different that no middle ground was to be seen".

Praise ... Senator Ricky Muir is congratulated by Jacqui Lambie and fellow Senators after delivering his maiden speech in the Senate chamber. Picture: Ray Strange Source: News Corp Australia

The Motoring Enthusiast Party Senator then cited his proudest moments, naming his role in allowing "31 (asylum seeker) children and their families" who were transferred from Naruru to Australia before December 4, 2014 to remain in Australia.

Mr Muir also cheekily referred to his interview with Mike Willesee, thanking the TV presenter for "teaching me a valuable lesson ... to be myself", and saying that while he knew he "came off pretty bad in [the] interview, I was never going to let that take me down."

Mr Muir's humble beginning in Victoria's high country also provided a spot of difference to other political backgrounds.

The Senator referred to a childhood where other kids "got to enjoy some of life's simple luxuries that were out of reach for us", but, in a choked voice, said he was very proud of his parents "for doing the best they could with what we had".

The Motoring Enthusiast Party's Ricky Muir struggles to answer questions in an interview with Mike Willesee on Sunday Night. Courtesy Channel Seven.

The motoring enthusiast also struck a chord with working-class Australians when he talked of "feeling the pressure and losing sleep when the general cost of living went up by just a tiny $20".

"If you think $20 a week is nothing or just a pack of cigarettes or a beer, you have never lived in the real world," he addressed his colleagues.

"As somebody not born into wealth, I've had to work him way up with honesty — and I can say working class Australia is sick of working their way just to pay the bills".

But it was his "off script" dialogue that really tugged at the heartstrings — and helped win him respect.

Honest ... Senator Ricky Muir delivered a surprisingly frank and heartwarming first speech in the Senate on Thursday, March 5, eight months after he became a Senator. Picture: News Corp Australia Source: News Corp Australia

As Mr Muir put down the piece of paper he was religiously reading from, he looked up at his supporters, and choked up.

"I want to thank my family and friends for being here".

In a frank and tearful speech, Mr Muir told his children he loved them, and thanked his tearful wife, Kerrie-Anne, for being "absolutely dedicated to helping me out here".

To the public, the humble Mr Muir said he was "proud of my achievements today — and as I once said, if I never achieve anything else, I could be proud of this".

And a gentle reminder for the public to cut him some slack:

"Don't judge me by what I say; judge me by what I do".

Anda sedang membaca artikel tentang

Ricky Muir’s surprising first speech

Dengan url

http://segarasa.blogspot.com/2015/03/ricky-muiras-surprising-first-speech.html

Anda boleh menyebar luaskannya atau mengcopy paste-nya

Ricky Muir’s surprising first speech

namun jangan lupa untuk meletakkan link

Ricky Muir’s surprising first speech

sebagai sumbernya