Bill Shorten (Maribyrnong, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Madam Speaker. I begin by wishing you and all of those who sit in the big chair a very merry Christmas and a relaxing break from standing order 94(a). I am deeply conscious that there is still one more question time!

At this time of year our first thoughts are with Australians who will not be spending Christmas with the people they love. I am talking about our defence forces stationed around the world and our emergency services personnel on duty through the day and night—ambos, firies, nurses and police. And, of course, I am talking about the heroes who do not wear a uniform—everyday Australians who are working unsociable hours to make ends meet and to make our society function. I wish to record my appreciation for the work of all our Commonwealth public servants. We are most fortunate with the quality and calibre of the Commonwealth Public Service. I also want to mention Peter Greste, who is most unjustly spending Christmas in his Cairo prison cell.

Australians began this year celebrating an Ashes whitewash; we approach its end mourning the passing of Phillip Hughes. And in between there was joy and sadness. In an unknown wheat field in Ukraine and somewhere in the remote ocean depths two Malaysian airliners met a tragic end, and our world grieved for all those on board. For their families it was more than a significant international event; it was a life-changing tragedy, and our thoughts are with them now and always.

In Iraq and Syria sectarian hatred and evil threatens the vulnerable, and both sides of this chamber work together in a cooperative spirit because the safety of our people and the security of our nation unites us all. Corporal Cameron Baird from 2 Commando Regiment became the 100th Australian to be awarded the VC. Sadly, like so many of his brave predecessors, it was posthumous. We welcomed a new Governor-General, and we thanked Her Excellency Quentin Bryce and Michael Bryce for their sterling service to our country. You do not need to be their son-in-law to recognise their greatness!

Our athletes did us proud in Sochi, Glasgow and Brazil. Richard Flanagan became just the third Australian to win the Man Booker Prize for his harrowing tale, The Narrow Road to the Deep North. The Hawks went back to back. And, after 43 long years, it was 'glory, glory for South Sydney'.

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