John Howard (Bennelong, Liberal Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

I was not aware of any party last night. I am obviously losing my touch because I was not asked. I will tell you what I was doing. Last night I was doing two things. It is interesting that the member for Wills asked me a question about our Defence Force. Last night, I attended a dinner organised by the Minister for Defence in honour of the retiring Secretary to the Department of Defence, Mr Ric Smith. I take this opportunity—given to me by the member for Wills—of placing on record my profound gratitude to Mr Smith for the faithful way in which he has served the Commonwealth of Australia and governments of both political persuasions in a number of positions. I first seriously encountered him when he was—

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