Steve Fielding (Victoria, Family First Party) Share this | Hansard source

Family First support this condolence motion and offer condolences to the family of the late Senator Jeannie Ferris, particularly to her sons Robbie and Jeremy. Jeannie’s loss is even more difficult for the family because of the subsequent and sudden death of her former husband, Bob Ferris. What really matters in life is family, and families are a great consolation when a loved one dies. I hope Jeannie’s family has found comfort in being with one another and sharing cherished memories of a remarkable woman. We also offer condolences to Jeannie’s staff, who I know were shocked and saddened by her sudden death. Political staff work tirelessly and I commend Jeannie’s staff for their hard work and dedication.

I cannot claim to have known Jeannie very well. One of the pitfalls of being a senator is that we work long hours together but with little opportunity to get to know everyone well. However, I want to record that I am very grateful for the help Jeannie has given me since my arrival in the Senate a couple of years ago. As the sole Family First senator, I have relied on the goodwill of many people in the Senate to help me learn the ropes and navigate the mix of procedure and convention that regulates Senate business. Jeannie was always willing to help and give advice. As the Government Whip she also helped to get me speaking time on an often very clogged speaking list. Jeannie was a stickler for detail and knew exactly how things worked, which is as it should be for a good whip. But I also learned that she was more than an able political adversary on issues where we disagreed. If you were ever going into battle on a particular issue, you would always want Jeannie on your side.

I remember that on Jeannie’s return from cancer treatment late last year I did not recognise her—not because she looked unwell but because of a radical change in her hairstyle. But, despite knowing the difficult time she had gone through with chemotherapy, I always expected Jeannie to be around. Put simply, Jeannie Ferris was a feature of this parliament. Death is a part of life but it can still so easily shock us all. I imagine that Jeannie knew a lot more about her condition than she was willing to divulge, and I respect that entirely. Jeannie Ferris was a woman I respected and a woman who managed her life with great dignity, and I am sorry we did not have the chance to say goodbye.