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

Let’s go with 17th; thank you. I understand Roger has had about 23 years in this parliament. Roger brings to this organisation, being the parliamentary process, experience over a lengthy period. The constructive contribution that he makes is based mainly on experience and a degree of soundness that comes with maturity in the job. I am sure he will not like me saying that, but it is true.

Jill Hall, the member for Shortland, and her staff members, Mark and Chris, have played an extraordinary role in the running of the Main Committee. Most people outside this place do not appreciate the role of the Main Committee—the fact that we can run debates simultaneously in the main chamber and in the Main Committee. We improve the efficiency of the parliament as a consequence. But there will not be any greater efficiency extracted unless the Main Committee works effectively. With Jill and her staff, we have been able to ensure that it is an effective organ of this parliament. I acknowledge Jill and her staff for the way that it has been run in the last couple of years in particular.

A number of changes were instituted to the Main Committee, mainly at the instigation of the Chief Government Whip. There are greater opportunities for members to speak, particularly in relation to constituency statements. Whilst most of us like to participate particularly in matters of policy and the debating of legislation, sometimes members must realise that they have a genuine need to look after their constituencies, and using the opportunity to speak in the Main Committee on constituency statements is a good thing for every member of this parliament to do.

I would like to pay regard to my own staff. Melanie Attlee, who accompanies me in Canberra, plays the role of chasing up and making sure that we have all our acting whips in the Main Committee. Melanie is also my senior adviser in my electorate office. I also pay regard to my other staff there, who do an extremely sterling job: Gai Coghlan, my office manager; Leah Whalan, electorate officer; Alicia Bowie, newly employed—she came to me from one of my local newspapers, and she is a very gifted writer, a very talented young woman and someone I have known since she was about seven years old; and Vicki Meadows, who has worked with me for at least the past four years. Vicki brings a unique set of skills to my office. Vicki has a profoundly disabled daughter who is autistic. Her daughter is now 19 years old and never quite speaks.

There is one thing I can be assured of with Vicki: people who come to my office, particularly people with disabilities or those who live with people with disabilities, will never be fobbed off. They will always be treated seriously. We may not be able to personally help them on each and every occasion, but if we cannot help with an issue directly perhaps we can refer it to our state colleagues or other agencies, or simply lend an empathetic ear. Vicki is a person who has lived with disabilities for the whole of Melissa’s life. Having seen the difficulties she has had to endure over that period, I have the utmost respect for her. Everyone who comes to my office and deals with Vicki knows that she has warmth and compassion beyond measure.

In relation to my colleagues on the other side of the House, Alex Somlyay, the Chief Opposition Whip, and his staff do an absolutely wonderful job. We work very closely with them, and this place would not function if there were not that level of trust between people who are doing their best to organise things in the normal cut and thrust of this place. Alex has had some time off recently and I know he is going to be in hospital for a little while to come. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. I am sure he is going to be back here bigger and better when we resume in February.

The Opposition Whip, Michael Johnson, along with the Opposition Deputy Whip, Nola Marino, and the Chief Nationals Whip, Kay Hull, work as a carefully crafted, close-knit team. With respect to the political divide that exists between us, we can nevertheless work quite effectively in promoting the efficiency of debates in this House.

There is one person I should not forget, because I have done so before and I have been reminded before—my wife.

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