Chris Hayes (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

The wonderful Bernadette—just in case I needed additional reminding! Bernadette accompanies me when I come to Canberra, which is very good. I get the opportunity to go home when we adjourn here and have a normal life. Parliamentary life is pretty hard on partners—I think that goes without saying. Ever since my by-election, Bernadette has thrown herself into this life. At a recent function I attended Aaron Rule charitably said that Chris Hayes and Bill Clinton have something in common. I knew it was not height. It was Bill Clinton’s comment that when you vote you get two for the price of one. 

I have a very active time in my electorate, and Bernadette and I tend to spread our time over the things we can go to. She gives speeches at Rotary Club meetings and visits aged-care facilities. We share all those sorts of things between us. I am indebted to her for the role she plays. She has certainly developed quite an interest in the electorate and plays a very constructive role.

Here in Canberra, Bernadette is President of the Parliamentary Partners Association, a bipartisan organisation operating across the party divide. It is a support group for all spouses of members of parliament. I think she plays a very constructive role there, together with Allison Parry, the wife of the Chief Opposition Whip in the Senate. Along with Adriana Murphy, they have done a lot over the last couple of years to ensure that partners have the opportunity to participate effectively in life if and when they come to Canberra.

I conclude by wishing all members of this place a happy, safe and holy Christmas. Next year is going to be a big year for a range of different reasons but principally because we will be heading towards an election. It is essential for people to become focused on that. I say that quite honestly. I think elections in our democracy should be fought and fought vigorously, and it is one of the treasures of our democracy that we can do that. Having regard to the fact that that is what we will be addressing next year, it behoves all members to spend time with their families and loved ones over the Christmas period. Next year will be hard.

We in this parliament should always think back and recommit ourselves to the reasons we came here in the first place. It is all very well to be involved in party politics and to go through polling and election days and everything that goes along with that; but, in all sincerity, I have not met a person in this place who in my opinion came here for the wrong reasons. I think parliament is a very special place. Very few people in our community ever get the opportunity to do what we do, to participate in making laws for the future of this country. It is with extreme honour that we occupy our places here. That being the case, our role is to work as diligently as we can to make a difference. If that is not our commitment, we should question whether we should be here at all. Regardless of what side of politics they are on, the people I meet here bring that commitment and that aspiration to this place. I wish all members and their families a very happy and holy Christmas.

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