A 30-YEAR chapter in federal politics ends today when the Australian Democrats make their official exit from the Senate. Leader Lyn Allison, Natasha Stott Despoja, Andrew Bartlett and Andrew Murray will take their seats in the Senate for one last time before bowing out when parliament breaks for the winter recess this evening. The Democrats are leaving the parliament with a warning that their departure will leave the nation's democracy weaker. Senators Stott Despoja, Bartlett and Allison delivered their valedictory speeches in the Senate yesterday, while Senator Murray gave his on Tuesday. The new Senate will be the first without...
