Kevin Rudd (Griffith, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Hansard source

Roger, as the years roll by, bears an increasingly uncanny resemblance to Santa Claus, like Mal Washer! On our side of the House, Roger is seen with much genuine affection because all of us in this place as members of parliament from time to time have needed the support of the Whip when things go wrong on the family front or the home front and you have to disappear quickly, in how that is best accommodated administratively, and through the other rigours associated with the parliamentary life. So, Roger, you have been a genuine good shepherd and pastor to us all. Normally, you would associate the Whip’s office with having the whip in the glass case hanging on the wall. In your gentle and genial manner, Roger, we suggest that you should replace it with a shepherd’s crook. That is more to your style. It also gives you an opportunity to whack people with the end of it when it is needed!

Could I also refer to the work of the Australian Public Service. The Australian Public Service is an essential part of the fabric of Australia’s public administration. We come and we go as members of this executive; the Public Service lasts forever. As many reflected at the time of the change in government in December last year—12 months ago yesterday, I think it was, the new government was sworn in—the fact that all that occurs in our system of government quickly and seamlessly is an extraordinary tribute to the way in which the Public Service have managed things since the heady days of 1901. The fact that we have had in that period of time 26 prime ministers and smooth transitions, with the notable exception of one in the mid-1970s, reflects well on our constitutional arrangements—but, within those constitutional arrangements, reflects particularly well on the role played by the Australian Public Service. To my own department, the Prime Minister’s department, and the other principal departments of state I place on record my appreciation for their continued professionalism and for the professionalism which they displayed at the time of the seamless change in government.

I stand in the parliament as a representative of the Australian Labor Party, so it is important on an occasion like this to also extend our Christmas greetings to the Australian Labor Party national secretariat, now led by Karl Bitar, the National Secretary. Tim Gartrell, who recently stepped down from his role, has served the party well. We wish him well and we wish Karl Bitar well in his new position. We hope that they and other members of the secretariat enjoy a reasonable break—as we would encourage members of the Liberal Party secretariat to have an even longer break.

As for the staff of Labor members of parliament, could I say this. Each of us in this place as members of parliament are ably supported by those loyal soldiers to the cause who do all the work which makes our work as local members of parliament and the work of our ministerial staff possible. There are a large number of them. Those of us who have worked intimately in this place with the work done by staff over many years understand how much of the burden is actually shouldered by our staff. We in this place are often the public face of work which has been done by others, whether in the Public Service or by our private staffs, be they electorate staffs or ministerial staffs. Again on this occasion I would wish all those members of staff a very happy Christmas and that they take the opportunity to enjoy some rest and recreation over the summer break.

If I could turn to my own personal staff, I have to place on record my appreciation for the excellent work done by Alister Jordan, my Chief of Staff. I would also wish to acknowledge the work done by my previous Chief of Staff, David Epstein, and the great work and experience that he brought to bear to the task when we were going through the period of transition to government. I wish him well for the future. To the other members of my own personal staff: as is often reported, we work long hours in the PMO, and I am uniquely to blame for that. So to all members of my staff—who should not be listening to this broadcast because they should have better things to do—can I say how much I appreciate their work and their dedication to the cause of what this government is on about. I really appreciate their friendship as well.

My electorate office staff—Gina Tilley, Sam Walker, Fleur Foster, Amy Cooper and Katrina Hicks—who take such a weight off my shoulders and assist in my local responsibilities back home in Brisbane, are the rock upon which my life in politics is built and they are a wonderful team. I pass my personal appreciation to them, as well as to the party members and volunteers who dedicate hours and hours of voluntary time to the work of my electorate office in the seat of Griffith, in Brisbane. I thank them.

Finally, it is at times like this, as I said earlier in my remarks, that we are reminded of the absolute importance of family. This job that I am doing as Prime Minister I could not do were it not for the support of my wife and my partner, Therese. Therese has been through the thick and the thin of it in the last year or two and I love her dearly, as she is a wonderful person. She makes life in this otherwise arduous profession bearable. To my wonderful kids: Jessica and her husband, Albert; Nicholas; and Marcus—I am still not used to being a father-in-law; I am not quite sure if anyone else has had that experience—they are also part and parcel of sustaining some humanity in the business of politics. They have been truly wonderful friends and supporters and integral to my life in this place. Also, to Abby and Jasper the cat: if they could make a New Year’s resolution to stop fighting in the new year, then I am sure we would all be in a much happier place.

As I said at the outset, 2008 has been a big year for everybody. There have been ups and there have been downs, and 2009 looms as a huge challenge for us all in this place and more broadly for the nation. We have had a debate in here from time to time about where the global financial crisis goes. It is going to affect a lot of people who will lose their jobs. That is the truth and it is an awful thing. It is happening right around the world. Whatever our policy debates may be about that, the other thing we need to be reminded of at a time like this is, through our own work in local community, to support people who find themselves in those positions in the period ahead. Agencies of state are important in delivering services to people who have lost their jobs and to the unemployed. Support and solidarity of the community around them is equally important, and I believe we all have a personal responsibility along those lines.

As we approach the Christmas season, there are often debates about Christmas being a Christian festival or a non-Christian festival in various parts of the world. I think the truth is this: whether we are of faith or not of faith, this is an important season for us all. For those of us who are of faith, it celebrates the birth of the Christ child. For those beyond faith it is a celebration for all families, and all therefore enjoy this season which lies ahead. Mr Speaker, all the best for Christmas, and to all members of this parliament and for all those who serve the members of parliament so represented.

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