Tony Windsor (New England, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Speaker, on indulgence: if I could add my thanks to Cheryl for the work that she has done. On behalf of the cross-benchers, could I say that she has been an outstanding individual and a great representative. I was just saying to her at the door before this discussion began that we are very lucky in this parliament to have people of the calibre that we do have here. We have all recognised that today. But I think we have to really ensure that we maintain that calibre and that appreciation of the people who work within this building. I have been in two parliaments and the member for Hume has been in two as well. I have seen the loss of esteem of the people who actually work within one building. We have it here and it will be up to the members of this chamber and those who administer it to make sure that those people are shown the appreciation they absolutely deserve. Cheryl is an outstanding example of the calibre of people that we have within this building.

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