Natasha Stott Despoja (SA, Australian Democrats) Share this | Hansard source

I rise also to speak on this condolence motion for Senator Jeannie Ferris. I particularly appreciate the comments that Senator Coonan made about the collegiate atmosphere in this place. It is a gift in this place to make friends, and it is an even more precious and rare thing to make a dear friend. Although I had known Jeannie since her entry into this place in 1996, my having got in in 1995, my affection for Jeannie and time spent with her were also the result of my husband being one of her dearest friends. Ian and Jeannie go way back. They used to work for the former Liberal leader in South Australia Dale Baker, who is a dear friend to a number of people in this place and was one of Jeannie’s closest friends. I have had the opportunity to develop a friendship with Jeannie as a colleague, and she has been a dear and close family friend and particularly a wonderful friend to our son, Conrad.

I also acknowledge the sparring that took place in this chamber between former Senator Bolkus and Jeannie Ferris. Senator Minchin has done justice to that particular debate, but I wish to put on record the fact that Nick Bolkus and Mary, his wife, became very close friends with Jeannie over the years; indeed, they have travelled together. They also felt the loss of Jeannie very greatly.

I must pay tribute and acknowledge the speeches that were made in the two memorial services: the one in the Great Hall and the one in Adelaide. Senator Minchin, Joan Hall, Caroline Schaeffer and Ian McLachlan, among others, paid wonderful tribute to Jeannie Ferris in acknowledging her distinguished and dignified career, and I will not attempt to emulate those speeches today. Obviously, her past as a journalist, a public affairs officer, her involvement in the CSIRO and her role as a senator, legislator, whip and a policymaker have been referred to. Jeannie Ferris was multifaceted: her love of policy extended from her love of the land; she was interested, as has been acknowledged, in Indigenous affairs, native title and science policy, including stem cells; she had respect for and advocated for women’s issues generally and reproductive rights specifically—all important issues. On top of that, she had a great shoe collection, which was also acknowledged in the memorial.

Jeannie Ferris loved policy, and she loved a bit of gossip, loved her friends and also talked about shopping and clothes on the odd occasion. But it is really hard to overestimate—and others, and certainly Senator Siewert, have recognised this fact—Senator Ferris’s involvement, or her influence, in some of the cross-party women’s work that has occurred in this place. She may not always have had her name on a bill or have been perceived as the sole advocate but, boy, was she influential in recent debates: RU486, stem cells and Gardasil, which has been referred to. Jeannie had this ability, which few of us in this place have—and I do not know if many others do—of bringing together not only senators but also women in particular on a cross-party basis. Jeannie Ferris will be long remembered for that in addition to her many other achievements, her policy interests and, as has been noted, the recent Senate cancer inquiry, which has been responded to, thankfully, with alacrity by government and has resulted in the establishment of a centre and the allocation of seed funding.

Jeannie Ferris was great in terms of her friendships; she always made time for people. A trip to Canberra was not complete for Conrad without disrupting Jeannie Ferris’s office—up-ending cushions and sculptures and what have you. I can see some of her staff laughing. Jeannie was great for giving presents from her trips. Conrad has cushions from Cambodia, he has got T-shirts from Capri and—this one is a little ironic—George W Bush socks from the United States. If it did not have the presidential seal, folks, they just would not be going on those feet! The fact is that Jeannie adored Conrad and in turn Conrad adored her and my husband adored her. My husband has lost a great mate and friend.

I want to acknowledge Jeannie Ferris’s devoted, loyal and amazing staff. I see Robyn Mills sitting in the gallery: you two have had some tough times and you have been through a lot together, and that is acknowledged by all of us. There is Bronte McQueen, of course, and Simon Lloyd previously, Amy Lambert, Vicki Pegram, Angela Marino. I know, Simon, Angela, Bronte, Robyn, that you are all here today, and we want to acknowledge that you have been through a tough time as well.

Jeannie Ferris loved a bit of gossip. Ian McLachlan put that best in his memorial tribute, which some of us heard. I want to acknowledge Robbie and Jeremy and send our condolences, and to Pam as well. In something that I rarely do, I am going to give my husband the last word. With the indulgence of the Senate, I quote from an obituary he gave:

Jeannie Ferris was the sort of person that could only enhance the reputation of politicians. A better role model for aspiring legislators would be hard to find. A golden heart was entwined with a will of steel. Jeannie had compassion but never left you in any doubt of politics’ realities. Jeannie always had time for people. Despite being one of the coalition’s busiest people as Senate whip, she would always make time for people in distress. When my wife, Natasha Stott Despoja, had emergency surgery last year, Jeannie, not well herself, asked if she could do anything to help. ‘Can I look after Conrad?’ she asked. She died with a picture of Conrad beside her bed.

I add my condolences, along with that of my family, to this motion today.