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Politics
Phoebe Loomes

Fred Nile bows out after 'record' term

The 'grandfather' of the NSW upper house, Rev Fred Nile, has given his valedictory speech. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

In his final speech to the NSW parliament, the state's longest-serving MP said he longs for a world without gambling, sex work and drugs.

Rev Fred Nile, 88, will have served in the NSW parliament for 42 years when he retires, a record in NSW.

Mr Nile used his valedictory speech to say he dreamed of living in a society without drugs or excessive drinking, that treats gambling as an evil and sees sex work as a "scourge".

"My Christian faith, a faith that many of you hold here in this chamber, has guided me in these years."

"I was disappointed to see that abortion was decriminalised in NSW, as was euthanasia," he said of the reforms, passed in 2019 and 2022.

He said he also wanted to see the gap closed for outcomes for Indigenous and non Indigenous Australians.

Earlier this year Mr Nile introduced a bill to the parliament to create an Aboriginal cultural heritage council, which he hopes will pass the parliament before too long.

One of his greatest regrets in life was that he did not spend enough time with his family, he said.

"I'll make up for it now."

"I will now say goodbye to this chamber, as I have spent nearly half my life in it," Mr Nile told the chamber.

The speech was called a historic moment by President of the Upper House Matthew Cox, who said Mr Nile was the "grandfather" of the upper house.

Mr Nile was elected to the Legislative Council in 1981 as a member of the Call To Australia Group, which later became the CDP.

He has served in the NSW upper house ever since, aside from a few months in 2004 when he resigned to unsuccessfully run for the federal Senate.

In other department messages, Liberal MP and South Coast MP Shelley Hancock, said when she first entered the parliament 19 years ago , she had little interest in the details of state or party politics.

"I wasn't a member of the Liberal Party, I never ever intended to come to this place, I didn't even know what it was, or who was the premier - I wasn't interested."

"But quite frankly, I knew then as I know now, that what was important was to look after the people in the South Coast.

"That's all that matters."

Labor MP Nick Lalich wished his fellow MPs luck as he farewelled the parliament after 14 years.

"It has been truly an honour and a privilege to have served with you as a member of the NSW parliament," Mr Lalich said.

The Cabramatta MP, who has recently suffered from poor health, received a standing ovation after his brief comments.

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