Ms Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

I pay tribute to our clerks. Ian Harris has had an outstanding career in public service to this country—37 years. The Prime Minister, in his own special way, would hardly be able to describe that as non-extraordinary service. It has been an outstanding effort, Ian, and we wish you all the very best. I do not know how this place could have functioned without you, but function it will. And I congratulate Bernard for taking on the extremely significant role of Clerk of this House. We look forward to working with him.

I acknowledge the Hansard reporters, the Parliamentary Library staff, security, the cleaners, the gardeners—everybody who works here makes this place function for the benefit of all Australians. I acknowledge the work of the Comcar drivers, who so cheerfully get us from A to B and everywhere in between. I acknowledge the staff who manage the bookings, the staff at HRG and all of the people at Aussies and in catering—all those who help make this great parliament function.

I thank my staff: my PA, Kirsten Ridge, and the girls in my electorate office, Suzanne Chambers, Rachael Gunderson, Georgina Adcock and Judy McEvoy; in Canberra, my Chief of Staff, Murray Hansen, whose loyalty to our cause is unquestioned, and I thank him and his family for the many hours he puts in working for me and for our party; my advisers, Justin States and Rochelle Hill, and the volunteers and interns who have spent time working in my office, Ursula, Dane, Paul, Rachael, Shiva, Chris, Liliana, David and Grace.

I also want to mention two of our colleagues who retired this year. Brendan Nelson, who was the Leader of the Opposition, was a great servant of the Australian people. He was legendary for his energy, his enthusiasm, his—

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