David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I am mindful of the fact that it is getting late. I was going to make a full speech but I will take the opportunity to incorporate the full text into the Hansard. However, I would like to say a few things. First of all, it is a very great honour to be able to serve the House as the Speaker and to be able to work with so many wonderful people. People on both sides have so much to contribute not only to this place but also to our nation. It is something that we should never sell ourselves short on. Everyone in this building—and we know some 3,000 people work in this building—makes a very special contribution. That is why our parliament is highly respected, not only within the nation but indeed internationally. We should remind ourselves of that even though on so many occasions we do tend, as has been said, to have some robust debates.

I would like to make a couple of special thankyous. First of all, to my deputy speakers the member for Page, Ian Causley, and the member for Scullin, Harry Jenkins, who do a wonderful job as deputy speakers, as indeed do the members of the Speaker’s panel, and who contribute far more than just presiding over the sittings when they are in the chair.

I would also like to pay a very special tribute, like others have, to the Clerk of the House, Ian Harris, and his deputy, Bernard Wright, and to the clerk assistants for all the support they give to those who occupy the chair. I also thank the Serjeant-at-Arms and staff of the serjeant’s office, who do a wonderful job. I would also like to add my remarks to those of others to say a very big thankyou to Dalma Dixon as she retires in a week’s time and to say what a wonderful job she has done and how much we have appreciated the warmth of her support. She has always been willing to assist all members in their work.

I would like to thank all those who work in this building, and it is difficult as I do not want to single too many out. But there is one I would like to single out and that is Luch, who has been wonderful as an attendant. All the attendants look after us very well, but Luch has been very special in the way he has assisted me as the Speaker and I would like to acknowledge that.

There are many others I would like to thank but I am going to keep it mercifully brief, colleagues. I would like to thank my own staff, particularly Chris Paterson, my chief of staff. All of my staff in my office do a magnificent job. Nothing is too much; they work very hard. I really appreciate it, as indeed I appreciate the support I get in my electorate office. Again, I am extremely fortunate with the people who are so willing to support my efforts as the member for Wannon.

Finally I would like to say, as others have, a very special thankyou to my family, particularly to my wife, Penny, who has been a marvellous support in my role more recently as Speaker but, of course, right throughout our life together. As we are approaching Christmas I would like to wish everyone and their families a very merry Christmas. We all know how important Christmas is to the family, but we also recognise the importance of Christmas. I know everyone is looking forward to a well-deserved break. I hope everyone makes the most of that and will be able to come back next year refreshed.

The incorporated speech read as follows—

On the passing of another year, it is an honour to serve this House as Speaker and a pleasure to work with so many wonderful people. 

Everyone in this House and the building makes this, our parliament, the highly respected and internationally recognised institution that it is. 

This year we have seen the parliament again at its best, thanks to 150 passionate members in the House of Representatives.

However, before I reflect on our achievements and successes I would like to start by thanking all the speakers for their contributions this evening.

In my role of Speaker, I am not in the game of keeping count, but I would like to share some facts and achievements from our year.

As a parliament we have passed in the order of 160 bills and we have had 68 question times with 1294 questions being asked.

We have seen the installation of a screen outside the chamber walkway to assist members to be aware of what is happening in the chamber before entering from the common areas of the building.

Live minutes of the chamber proceedings are now available to the broader community through the WebPages and we have also started podcasting of question time.

The Main Committee has continued to play an important role and a screen has also been installed outside to keep members informed about proceedings.

We have also seen the excellent role played by committees this year with almost 100 reports being tabled.  The time allocated for committee and delegation reports on Monday afternoons is regularly being taken up and I would at this point like to recognise the hard work of our committees and the work that all members put into their responsibilities and what can be achieved through working in a cooperative spirit.

All of these achievements and work would not be possible without the support of the people in this place.

I could not undertake all duties of the House without the assistance of my esteemed colleagues who also occupy the chair, in particular the two deputy speakers, the member for Page, Ian Causley and the member for Scullin, Harry Jenkins as well as all the members of the Speaker’s panel who do a lot more than just preside over sittings.

I would like to also pay tribute to the guidance that the Clerk, Ian Harris and Deputy Clerk, Bernard Wright; and the clerk assistants provide and for the support to all occupants of the chair and our offices.

The depth of their knowledge and experience and the strength of their commitment to this institution is very much appreciated.

I would also like to recognise the Serjeant-at-Arms and staff of the Serjeant’s office who all assist in the order, security and operations of this chamber - a role in which we all appreciate. 

At this point I would also like to recognise Dalma Dixon, one of our assistant serjeants, who is leaving the department after 20 years.

I am sure you would all join with me to thank her and wish her all the best.

As we know there are around three thousand people that work in this parliament, and without naming everyone, I would like to quickly list the many areas that we owe a huge thanks.

We have the table office, the clerk’s office, committees, chamber research, liaison and projects, messenger services, finance, people strategies, printing and publishing, information systems.

The parliamentary education office has supported the visits and assisted in the education of 82,000 students this year here in parliament house, not to mention the number of students in our electorates. Also our parliamentary relations team who have assisted in 9 official and 33 unofficial delegations from other parliaments this year.

I would also like to thank Hilary Penfold and her staff within the Department of Parliamentary Services.  This department serves all of us in a highly professional and timely manner. We may not see many of the staff who work in the extremities of this amazing building, but they all play a vital role in the operations.  I also wish to thank them.  They include the gardeners, building management services, security and facilities, client support, broadcasting and Hansard, information technology and communications services, corporate services, the parliamentary shop, the health and recreation centre, the nurses centre, art services and visitor services who assisted over 800,000 people visiting parliament house this year.  The guides are all fantastic ambassadors for the house.

Knowledge and information the key to the success of our work, and the Parliamentary Library is a vital resource for all members to be able to make vital contributions in the House and in the wider community.  I know you would all join with me and thank the library staff and all of the staff I have mentioned so far.

However, as Canberra is home away from home and a place we spend a lot of time, the vital services provided here assist in making it easier for us to get on with the job. 

I would like to thank Hyatt catering for their assistance with the Speaker’s office.

To Comcar - who do such a great job around Australia as well as Canberra, Aussie’s, the Post Office, Tracey’s florist, Westpac, Limro cleaning and Carlson Wagonlit travel who have looked after us so well and have ensured that we come and go not only to Canberra but all around Australia.  I wish all the staff the very best wishes. 

I would also like to thank the press gallery for their professional coverage of parliament.  I am keen on ensuring that the press have the opportunities and ability to cover the workings of the parliament and that there is a harmonious working relationship between the members, the House and the press.

My colleagues, I want to thank you.  This parliament can only be a parliament with the passionate and committed members.  Each and every one of you here make a valuable and respected contribution and I believe that a professional and productive parliament that represents all of Australia, is at the very heart of our democratic system.  Even if being in the chair has its moments.

Tonight, I would like to especially thank the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the House, the Manager of Opposition Business and the whips on both sides.  To all of you - your leadership and professionalism assists in helping this place function successfully.

The enthusiasm and passion we see here in the chamber every day not only brings colour and movement to debate but allows all members to contribute and try to make our nation a better place. 

It will be a busy year next year, but being the professionals that we are I am confident that it will be a fruitful year for us all.

I would like to thank all members and staff of the parliament for the good grace and courteousness you have all extended to my office. 

Thank you to my staff in the Speaker’s office and the electorate.  

I would also like to say thank you to the people of my electorate of Wannon. 

Finally, a very heartfelt thanks to my family and especially my wife, Penny.

As we are approaching Christmas, I wish you all and your families a very merry Christmas.  We all know the importance of family and I am sure you are all looking forward to a well deserved break.

Without rushing the Christmas break already, I remind honourable members that the House at its rising will be adjourning until Tuesday, 6 February 2007 at 2pm, unless the speaker or, in the event of the Speaker being unavailable, the Deputy Speaker fixes an alternative day or hour of meeting.

Question agreed to.

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