Outgoing Queensland Liberal MP Jane Prentice is wary of people entering politics for personal ambition over the desire to help the country.
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Ms Prentice has been the member for Ryan, Queensland since 2010, but lost preselection for the seat ahead of the forthcoming election.
"Clearly I'm disappointed to be leaving in this way," she told the lower house on Wednesday.
"Impatient ambition, treachery and lies are now, more than ever, part of our political fabric.
"Increasingly we are seeing candidates and elected members whose primary focus is not a desire to serve their communities, but to serve themselves. Personal ambition seems to be replacing an ambition for our nation."
Ms Prentice has been assistant minister for social and disability services since 2016, and is disappointed she's leaving parliament before seeing the National Disability Insurance Scheme reach its full potential.
"It's crucial we get it right sooner rather than later," she said.
The Queenslander said the scheme was complex to iron out as each person with a disability was different and required complex support services.
But, "it's a remarkable example of what a bipartisan approach can bring", she says.
Ms Prentice joined the Liberal Party as a junior member in 1968 due to her belief in maximising individual rights and limiting market intervention.
She is wary that younger Australians are becoming disillusioned with politics and hopes her colleagues show the nation that they're there to better the nation.
That includes ensuring progress isn't frustratingly slow.
"Delays in this place ultimately limit the ability of ordinary Australians to conduct their daily lives and achieve their aspirations," she said.
Australian Associated Press