Barnaby Joyce (New England, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Jane McNamara, Lenore Johnson, Denise Jeitz, Gay Hammond, Miranda Broekman, Gil Burke, Fiona Nash, Kay Hull—the National Party is run by women. It is absolutely essential, if you have any future within the National Party, that you make sure that these people who really do hold sway and determine who gets preselected and determine the direction of the party and overwhelmingly do the work are understood and respected. There was one special one, Val Gardiner, a member of the party for 70 years and a life member. Her father was a life member. She was a former teacher, born in 1931. She was involved with the Red Cross and the Quota Club. She was so important in her service to a political party. All political parties have those who serve their parties. Tenterfield issues such as Bolivia Hill realignment, the Legume to Woodenbong road, Carrara Bridge and Emu Swamp Creek were at the centre of her involvement of her delivery back to her nation via her delivery to her local community via her involvement in a political party. Val was a true champion. Val passed away last Wednesday at Haddington Nursing Home. She was aged 88. I mentioned her just the last time I was here. Rest in peace, Val.