Chris Ellison (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

In this condolence motion we pay tribute to Senator Jeannie Ferris: woman, mother, friend, writer, advocate and parliamentarian. Jeannie was all of these things and a fine example of each. She was a fierce advocate for South Australia and for the causes for which she stood, and I can say that I learnt that from working closely with her as a former Manager of Government Business in the Senate when Jeannie was Government Whip and I was in the other role. I think that the task of whip is a demanding one. It is one which demands respect. You have to have some aspect of popularity and you also have to be feared. I think Jeannie had all of those attributes. Certainly, I must admit that I had some fear of her from time to time. But she was a great whip.

As an advocate she was unequalled and, whilst a great colleague and someone who you would wish to be in the trenches with, I can also say she was a formidable opponent. Why do I say that? It is because I have been on the other end of the argument to Jeannie in relation to some very serious issues—the stem cell debate and a number of others—and it was then that I learned what it was like to be on the other side of Jeannie Ferris. I must say that I respected her greatly for the way she carried herself and also for the courage of her conviction, but I also respected her great talent, if I can put it that way, as an advocate in an argument to which you are opposed.

Of course, Jeannie more recently was involved in the cause of gynaecological cancer, and that was something that was very personal to her because of her failing health. It was typical of Jeannie that she turned adversity into a positive outcome. In her maiden speech she talked of the rural sector, something which was a passion of hers throughout her life, but she could well have been talking about herself when she said of country people:

Maintaining standards and more than a modicum of commonsense in the face of testing adversity is a proud tradition in country families. It still remains strong and long may it continue. Their personal contribution and those of their industries built the strong foundations of this great country. We in the cities continue to enjoy the benefits that flow from their bountiful harvests and offer them support when the elements do not.

That was typical Jeannie: looking at a disadvantaged sector, a sector which faced great challenges, but the adversity that she spoke about she faced herself with great bravery. Previous speakers have mentioned other senators in this place, notably Senator Peter Cook, who did the same thing. Jeannie carried on a fine tradition in relation to that.

To Jeannie’s staff, Robyn, Bronte and the others: you have our condolences; you are in our thoughts. You can tell the mark of a person when you see the loyalty which they enjoy from their staff. That great affection was evident in relation to Jeannie’s staff and it was a tribute to her as a person who employed them.

For my part, I will miss her greatly. I can still hear that husky voice, and I can still see her. On many testy occasions in this chamber, I have taken her advice and it has been very sound advice indeed. I extend the condolences of Caroline and myself to Robbie, Jeremy and her extended family. Caroline wanted to place on record her condolences too. She had great affection for Jeannie and enjoyed catching up with her when she visited Canberra. Jeannie was always a good source of advice. She was a great Australian and a great senator, and we shall miss her dearly.