Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Australian Greens I would like to add a word of cheer to everybody in this place and thank the people who work in this chamber, including those behind the glass up the back there who ensure the broadcasts go out to the people of Australia and beyond; the people who work up in the galleries, who help bring the Australian public into this place which is theirs and help them to understand what is going on; those who record all that we say, including things we should not say, and to the media and the journalists who translate what we say, opine on what we say and get it out to Australia. The fourth estate is so important to democracy.

I want to give a special word of thanks, of course, to our clerks, who guide what we do in here and who give good advice, and to the librarians, who are so assiduous in keeping us well informed and giving us the information that we need. I want to thank those who look after the whole building and those who drive us to and from it—the Comcar people, in this city and elsewhere around Australia.

In particular, I want to say season’s greetings and a happy new year to all Australians. I know, from working in this city many years ago that at Christmas time cheer does not come easily for people who have a mental illness and people who are lonely or by themselves. I have a special thought for them from the Greens at this time and, indeed, for people right around the world who have drawn the short straw on this planet. Our job is to keep them in the foremost of our minds while we enjoy this lucky, happy life that we live here in Australia and in this place.

So happy New Year and season’s greetings. I join Senator Fielding in also wishing everybody safety and security. There is nothing more important than that for us, our loved ones, the people we work with and everybody. Let us hope that this is a record safe year for this great and beautiful country of ours.