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

Later this afternoon Russell Barton, the host of question time on the ABC, will sign off for the final time. Through the sixties, seventies and eighties there were few national publications that did not display Russell's by-line, but he is best known for his 15 years as the ABCs Parliament House bureau chief. A generation of political reporters owe much to Russell's professionalism and wisdom. In his time, he has seen it all. When we speak of Canberra's great journalists—names like Oakes and Grattan—we should speak of Russell Barton too. He is a living institution for the ABC and for this building. After a remarkable 51 years in journalism, 37 federal budgets and 10 federal elections he will be spending more time on the farm and down the coast—a just reward. Today we farewell Russell from this place, but I have no doubt that he will be tuning in to see us when we return next year on time at two o'clock.

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