Stephen Parry (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I can only but echo the words of Senator George Brandis in everything he said. I am not going to detain the Senate, because, as you appreciate, Mr President, sitting there, and I sitting in this seat, the seat you once occupied, this is—dare I use the terminology?—‘the graveyard shift’ of the Senate. The public of Australia do not realise the hours we spend here in debate and the length of time we spend in the chamber, and normally it is the President of the day who presides until the Senate adjourns each evening, which has been you for the last five years.

Senator Brandis also mentioned the telephone call, but I am not going to use the language that was used in a telephone call and the way you reminded me that I had been elected to the Senate, but it is a moment that we will share together for a long time. I too have a lot of personal memories and I am very thankful for your mentorship and your guidance. You have certainly placed me on the straight and narrow from time to time, and I thank you for that. The Parliament of Australia will be indebted to you for what you have done and the service you have given. One-quarter of your life in the Senate has been in the chair of the President, and that is no small feat. I think we understand and comprehend that that length of time, with the burden of office that you have shared, combined with the whip’s duties before that, is indeed a great service to this chamber. So, with that, Mr President, without detaining the Senate any further, could I just say from a Tasmanian to a Tasmanian: congratulations and well done; I will deeply miss you not being in the chair from this moment on.