Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance and Administration) Share this | Hansard source

I only have two minutes in which to take the opportunity to make some remarks at this, the end of yet another productive, interesting year in the Senate—and, indeed, it is my first time in the privileged position of Leader of the Government in the Senate. I particularly want to thank you, Mr President, for your stewardship of that high office and for the way in which you have conducted yourself throughout this year. I thank you for your wise guidance of this chamber’s affairs.

I want to thank in particular the Senate Clerk and all the Senate staff. They work extraordinarily hard to make this place function as well and as smoothly as it does. The Clerk is a fascinating character in this parliament and one with whom, it must be said, the government occasionally comes into conflict. But I guess that is inevitable, because Harry is one of the great defenders of the institution of the Senate, and for that I respect him. It inevitably means that, on occasion, as a defender of the legislature, it brings him into conflict with the executive. They are robust exchanges, but on all occasions we respect him for the integrity of his position and his robust defence of and belief in the great institution which is the Senate. So we thank him, Rosemary and the others on the Senate staff, who work so hard to make this place function as well as it does.

In the short time remaining, in a spirit of conviviality and generosity, I want to thank all senators for their robust participation in the debates throughout the year. We have had some difficult issues to deal with—not only government legislation but also private members’ bills, which are always a fascinating and intriguing exercise. From the government’s point of view it has been productive, and we thank the other parties for their lively contributions to the debate. My time is up, so I want to wish everybody a very happy Christmas. 2007 is another election year, so we are all going to be working very hard next year. I hope you all have a very safe, peaceful and happy Christmas.