Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to inform the House of the retirement tomorrow of Robyn McClelland, the Clerk Assistant (Committees), after a career spanning four decades in the Commonwealth Public Service. It is a pleasure to make these remarks today while Robyn is present here, in the chamber where she has worked as Clerk or Deputy Clerk, and there at the table, for 18 years.

In the 25 years Robyn has been with the Department of the House of Representatives, she has worked with 11 speakers, seven prime ministers, and four clerks. She has worked in all the Clerk Assistant roles and as the Serjeant-at-Arms. Throughout this time, Robyn has worked with diligence and professionalism in the best traditions of parliamentary service.

The ability to draw on Robyn's expertise on practice and procedure has been of enormous value to me as a member of the House, as a committee chair, and of course, more recently, as Speaker. Her advice is always delivered quietly—which is sometimes difficult to hear, in this chamber—but forthrightly. Last week I was pleased to join the Clerk at a well-attended departmental function marking Robyn's retirement—a great demonstration of the incredibly high regard in which she is held by all her colleagues.

By any measure, Robyn's career has been one of exceptional achievement and service to members of this parliament. I trust all honourable members will join me in thanking Robyn for her many fine years of service, and to wish her, and her husband, Sam, who is in the Speaker's Gallery today, and their family, every happiness in her retirement.

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