Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health and Ageing) Share this | Hansard source

The first senator I ever met in this place was Jeannie Ferris. I remember the occasion very well. She could be rather intimidating. You knew what she stood for; she wore her colours on her sleeve. But while assertive and even combative, because she was a fighter, this was tempered by her love of fun and a very wicked sense of humour.

I remember my first speech in this place. At the end of it Jeannie came up to me and gave me a big hug. I watched the video the other day. It was nearly eight years ago. We all looked a lot younger—I had no grey hairs—but it seems like yesterday.

Our profession is an important one. I think it is a noble one, and Jeannie answered that calling. Jeannie’s death reminds us all that there are things that transcend politics and transcend public service. Family, friends and the joy of life are the real core of our humanity. The joie de vivre that Jeannie brought to this house made this place and this profession that bit easier for all of us here to bear.

When the division bells stop ringing, as they will for all of us, we can at best hope that we have made a difference and that the world is a better place than we found it. Jeannie did her part in that, and she did more.