Former Vic premier gives emotional goodbye
Former premier Ted Baillieu has given an emotional farewell to the Victorian parliament, saying the state is in "much better state" than when he arrived as premier in 2010.
With his voice wavering, Mr Baillieu paid tribute to fellow MPs and Victorians in a speech that won him a standing ovation and hugs from colleagues.
He also gave thanks to his wife Robyn, their three children and the electors of Hawthorn.
Mr Baillieu said he was proud to lead the Liberals, then the Liberal-National coalition, in two elections.
"Against the odds and with one of the largest swings in the state's history we won sufficient seats for a majority in both houses, and won government," he said on Thursday.
"I'm particularly proud I did so without ever being required to leave this chamber by someone else."
Mr Baillieu said he would leave politics knowing the state is in "much better state" than when he took office in 2010.
He was also proud of the biggest infrastructure program in the state's history, implementing the recommendations of the Black Saturday bushfires royal commission, the child abuse inquiry and forced adoption apology.
Multiculturalism was also something Victorians should treasure and nurture.
"We are a lesson to the world and we should be very careful about it," he said.
Mr Baillieu - a keen ocean swimmer - said the perfect antidote to politics was a swim in the bay in his Speedos in the middle of winter.
"It's impossible to think of anything else," he quipped.
But he conceded politics was a career with few rewards.
"Some of the rewards are actually tears," he said.
"Some of them are just an arm around the shoulder. Some of them a thank you five years later from someone in the street.
"But I say to some of those who expressed their gratitude, thank you."
Mr Baillieu said he left "very excited" for the future and was honoured to share the premiership with Denis Napthine.
Mr Baillieu became leader of the Liberal Party in 2006, and led the coalition to a shock one-seat victory in 2010.
Dr Napthine replaced Mr Baillieu as premier in March 2013 after he resigned the leadership, saying the change was in the government's best interests.
