Daniel Mulino (Fraser, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise today to pay tribute to Sarah Carter. Sarah Carter lived a full life, taking advantage of every opportunity to fight for causes that she believed in, both at the most local level and on the biggest international stages. She was a larger-than-life figure who touched the lives of so many with her energy, her enthusiasm and her intelligence. All whose lives she touched are so much the richer.

Sarah was a true servant of the community. I met her in her role as councillor for Maribyrnong City Council and could immediately sense that she was not your run-of-the-mill public figure. She served with great distinction over such a long period of time—16 years as a councillor, an almost incomprehensibly long period of dedication, given how much is asked of councillors; 16 years of council meetings, dealing with controversial motions; 16 years of tough planning decisions; and 16 years of just throwing herself into every tricky and important local cause, community group and event. She was always there, and always with a beaming smile. Sarah was three times a mayor, the first time that feat had ever been accomplished by a woman. It led to her being named Maribyrnong's first female emeritus mayor.

But, more than these statistics and accolades, Sarah's tenure was about her contribution as a relentlessly dedicated champion of the most important local causes. It was about how she evolved to become, in so many ways, the glue that held everything together. Whatever the issue, she would be the one who was able to recount its history, the nuances and all the possible options for resolving it. Whenever I was stumped on a complex issue, she was the first person that I'd think to call.

Sarah played such a critical role at Save the Children. There couldn't have been a better person to be in charge of persuading busy MPs to travel to far-flung locations around the world, and that was demonstrated by how many MPs she managed to take with her, often into regions that took MPs well outside their comfort zones. Even though I'm sad to say that I was never able to attend one of these trips, without exception all of those who have told me about them recount that there couldn't have been a more dedicated and fun travelling companion. Sarah had responsibility for the Australian leadership initiative for Save the Children, which saw her lead delegations to the Pacific, the Middle East and South-East Asia. On one of the rare occasions that she wasn't present at a local event, you could imagine her in one of these regions introducing a gaggle of MPs to local communities, working hard to raise the profile of those most in need of assistance.

I'm so sad that I won't be able to work with Sarah, to enjoy her infectious enthusiasm and to see her ongoing positive impact. I extend my condolences to Sarah's family and to her large and dedicated network of friends. Vale, Sarah Carter.