Valedictory speeches in the Australian parliament: democratic rituals, legislative rotation and autobiographical self-disclosure

While legislative speech is a key medium of political communication that is essential for the proper functioning of parliaments, it has been of limited interest to political scientists. Meanwhile, one form of legislative speech, the last or valedictory speech, has received no attention. This is a significant oversight because the valedictory speech is a cherished rite of passage for departing members, which marks a pivotal moment in their personal, political and professional lives. This article addresses this gap by analysing the valedictory speeches of members and senators who left the Australian Parliament in 1996 and 2022. We find that in terms of discursive form, valedictory speeches are characterised by autobiographical self-disclosure, which we argue constitutes an attempt by the speaker to navigate the often-fraught emotional departure from parliament. Valedictory speeches thus provide a ritualistic transition bridge that supports legislative rotation, which is fundamental to the effective functioning of representative democracy.