Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to add my support to the condolence motion for the late Senator Jeannie Ferris. Many have spoken of Jeannie’s achievements not only as a senator but in the many other facets of her life. Over the years, Jeannie developed many friends across the Liberal Party and I know today that I speak for many in the New South Wales division of the Liberal Party where she was always a welcome visitor. Last year I was present when she spoke at the National Council of Women of New South Wales about her role as Senate Government Whip and she was, as always, well received.

I came to this place on budget day two years ago and I remember well my first days here. One of Jeannie’s first comments to me was that it was good to have another woman in the ranks; they always worked hard and were always less trouble. I wonder why she gave me that advice. Jeannie spoke often of the challenges of her job as Government Whip and, as Senator Parry and others have said, she used the analogy of the wheelbarrow full of frogs, but then she went on to tell me it was because you have some hopping in, some hopping out, some thinking about it, some happy to be there and others stuck at the bottom wanting to get out. It certainly was a very apt analogy, Senator Parry.

We have heard that Jeannie enjoyed a chat. Her job was to know what was going on. I think Jeannie knew the job very well and was always, as others have said, well informed. She enjoyed her job despite its challenges and she was good at what she did. Jeannie had a passion for life. She also had a passion for shoes, a passion which I share, and we often made comparisons as to whether her shoe collection was larger than mine. Many have spoken of her passion for women’s issues. Unlike many of my female colleagues who have spoken today, I was not on the same side as Jeannie. Indeed, on both RU486 and the cloning debate I was one of the few women in this place who voted on the opposite side to Jeannie. She was a formidable opponent and she was always able to give as good as she got.

However, it was on the issue of gynaecological cancer that I understood fully her courage and for which I am very grateful for her advice. I spoke to Jeannie after her illness was diagnosed. I mentioned to her that I had a history of breast cancer and gynaecological cancer on my father’s side of the family. She told me that DNA testing was available to see if you have the gene that makes you susceptible to gynaecological cancer. It was through Jeannie that I have become aware of the fantastic work of Professor Neville Hacker, director of the gynaecological centre, and his team at the Royal Hospital for Women. I know she worked hard to secure the $1 million funding for the national gynaecological cancer centre. It will be a lasting testimony to her hard work.

It is through Jeannie that I have made contact with the hereditary cancer clinic and understood the important work that they do. Thank you, Jeannie: I may end up being one of the lucky ones who knows what is coming and can do something about it. It is through Jeannie that I have better understood the silent killer that is gynaecological cancer. It does not have the profile of breast and other cancers. Jeannie helped raise the profile of this killer disease, and it is important that we continue her legacy by continuing to speak about this silent killer and to do her good work.

On behalf of her friends from New South Wales in particular, I offer my condolences to her sons, Robbie and Jeremy, her sister, Pam, and the rest of her family and friends. To Robyn, Bronte and her other staff: I know you will miss her. You honour her memory by all the hard work you have done and will continue to do. Jeannie, may you rest in peace.