Richard Marles (Corio, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Defence) Share this | Hansard source

It really is fantastic to be able to give you my well wishes and my congratulations in your election to the speakership today. As you know, we have been friends and known each other for more than 30 years, attending, as we did together, the University of Melbourne. I remember that, back in 1988, I was the president of the student representative council, having been elected as a member of the Labor club. The giants who roamed this stage in those days were the likes of Graham Richardson and Robert Ray, and they had a certain prowess as numbers people, which I think in your eyes—probably unreasonably—gave an aura that rubbed off on me.

I remember you bounced into my office, as I was the president of the SRC at the time. You bounced into my office and you said 'Mate, I'm going to be running for the president of the Liberal club this afternoon.' 'That's good.' You said, 'So this meeting isn't happening.' I said, 'Sure.' And you said, 'Mate, if you ever tell anybody about this, I'm going to deny it'! 'Yeah, no worries.' 'But mate, you're a Labor guy. Tell me how to do the numbers!' I can assure you that the Speaker did go on to become the president of the Liberal club that afternoon. Given the oath that you've just taken, Mr Speaker, which of course prevents you from misleading this House, you will not be able to deny this story going forward!

I said to you when you became the Speaker for the first time that it really was a thrill for those of us who have known you and been friends with you over that period of time. Your politics have always been hopeless, but you have been a wonderful guy! And we have watched you blossom in this role—and you most certainly have—to become one of the really great Speakers that this nation has seen, which has led to an honour today in being elected unopposed, and now you will serve in this role for a really significant period of time, which will put you at the very top of the list of people who have contributed as Speaker of this place. I can just say to you, as a lifelong friend: for me to watch you in this role has been an absolute thrill.

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