Heffernan chokes up during final speech

He's known for his gruff outbursts and colourful language, but as Liberal senator Bill Heffernan bowed out of federal parliament after 20 years he got all choked up.

The 72-year-old's voice quivered as he delivered his valedictory speech on Wednesday, repeating the words he spoke during his maiden speech back in 1996.

His dream then was that he would be able to retire one day knowing his contribution would be judged by his fellow Australians as worthwhile.

"My only wish then, which is now, will be that God allows me to return with my family to the peace and tranquility of the bush."

Senator Heffernan is no stranger to controversy, known for describing Julia Gillard as "deliberately barren" and producing a fake pipe bomb at a Senate estimates hearing to make a point about security at parliament house.

He wrapped up his time in parliament by thanking his wife and children for their "bloody lot of understanding" during his decades in politics.

And he used his final speech to once again call for a federal judicial commission to investigate child sex abuse in judiciary ranks.

"I am sure the torture of history, as is the case in the current McClellan royal commission, will tell the truth," he said.