OPINION: The intense scrutiny that comes with the job is one reason Linda Reynolds has decided to step away from politics.
Former defence minister and senator for Western Australia Linda Reynolds delivered her valedictory speech in federal parliament at the end of March.
As her time in the Senate concludes, I began to reflect on her career to date.
Philosophers like Plato and Aristotle frame a vision of the ideal political leader as one with virtue, wisdom and a commitment to service; of justice and noble duty, persuasiveness guided by ethics, and by greater good over self-interest.
Sir Robert Menzies, a person whose politics and values Senator Reynolds holds in high regard, once said: “The leader must have not only the mind to govern, but the heart to serve”.
I frame my judgement of politicians and people on their intention, integrity and consistency. I want to believe the politician is acting from a sense of the greater good, informed by reasoned intellect.
Senator Reynolds’ first speech to parliament in 2014 contained themes consistent with her last in 2025. Service to others. Gratitude to many. A sense of deep privilege. Morality. Protecting our democracy. Gender equality.
The first speech also detailed equal opportunities, moral principles guiding actions, her army career, her prior experience as chief of staff to former justice minister Chris Ellison during the September 11 2001 attacks in the US and the Bali bombings, embracing change, and WA’s GST share.
In addition, her closing speech mentioned her pride in fighting for modern slavery legislation, and her support for the evacuation of journalist Khalid Amiri and family from Afghanistan.
Senator Reynolds lamented the blocking of reform to the National Disability Insurance Scheme and instead laid out the way forward.
She called for reform of parliamentary privilege, to prevent attacks that wouldn’t be tolerated in other workplaces and from which she suffered.
It is a great shame that Senator Reynolds is departing politics so soon.
“While I am leaving at a time of my choosing, the timing of my choosing has been expedited by events that are well known to all in this place. Those events have inflicted deep wounds on so many. However, my wounds do not define who I am. They have not distracted me for a second,” she said in her address to parliament.
Among those “wounds” was a political campaign she claimed was launched against her in light of the Brittany Higgins rape allegations and subsequent defamation case the senator launched against Ms Higgins and her partner David Sharaz.
Senator Reynolds noted the 30 committees she served on and the hundreds of inquiries she participated in but criticised the inability of governments to effectively implement recommendations.
She apologised to staff and family who had suffered for her public profile. She also thanked all the unsung heroes of the parliament building who “keep the engine room of democracy going”.
On defence achievements, Senator Reynolds referenced: “A defence strategic update and an accompanying force structure plan; the budget to fund it; new agreements with the US. I signed an agreement with NATO. And… we set this country on the pathway towards nuclear submarines.”
Further, she speaks of the evolving threat from the axis of convenience between Russia, North Korea, Iran and China, and their understanding of the power of military and industrial alliances.
My own experiences with Senator Reynolds are consistent with these themes. Deeply caring, a broad intellect, outcome-focused, servicedriven, humble, a driven and tireless worker, and a champion for others.
The senator never pursued credit and fought for causes outside her portfolios. She championed women in her office and in the community, making a point to introduce me to emerging women in her orbit, selflessly sharing her network, benefiting everyone but herself.
I witnessed Senator Reynolds engage with the defence industry community, shaking every hand and engaging with every person in the room. Not for show, but out of a genuine interest in the experiences of each.
Personally, Senator Reynolds has repeatedly expressed interest in me and my family, frequently offering words of support and care. It is a remarkable feat for someone with so much responsibility and deep complexity in their daily lives to still emit a sense of comfort and warmth. I am eternally grateful for those moments.
The consistency in the speeches and in public and private conduct is striking and reminds me of the ethics and principles referenced by the Greek philosophers.
As Senator Reynolds concluded her speech in Parliament, she tellingly said, “I know who I am, and I remain true to my values”.
• Kristian Constantinides is general manager of Airflite and was the 2023 recipient of the Minister’s Award for Services to Defence Industry. The opinions expressed are purely his own.
