Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Fisheries, Forestry and Conservation) Share this | Hansard source

First of all, can I congratulate Senator Cormann on an excellent first speech. He may well have been born on the wrong side of the border, but he is clearly on the right side of the fence when it comes to politics. Today the Senate quite properly pauses to pay tribute to one of its own. Senator the Hon. Paul Henry Calvert has served this chamber for 20 years, progressing from humble backbencher to committee memberships, deputy whip and whip, through to the highest office this Senate can bestow, namely the Presidency. But I think our campaign for the deputy whip’s position was the best! I am honoured to speak on behalf of the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team, my Senate colleagues Senators Colbeck, Parry, Watson and Barnett and, if I may be so bold, Senator elect Bushby as well.

Senator Calvert will be remembered by us all as a friend, a team player and a contributor who, at all times, advanced Tasmania’s interests. Twenty years ago there were no mobile phones, and blackberries were those things that Senator Calvert had to spray once a year on his farm, but now they are communication devices.

I am told that first speeches are a useful insight and often provide a benchmark against which a career in this place can be assessed. If so, Senator Calvert’s first speech is a classic. In the very second paragraph of his first speech, after dealing with formalities, Senator Calvert was already on his favourite theme—his wife and family. And those of us who have known him over the 20 years that he has been in politics know that that to this day continues to be the most important part of his life. In that first speech he also spoke of his farming background, his rural youth, the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania, being president of the local farming organisation, his involvement in local government and his love for the city of Clarence. All those loves were pursued throughout his successful career, be it in fighting for farmers on biosecurity issues or in being involved with show societies and his beloved Bellerive Oval, which is no longer just a municipal oval but a world-class facility.

His passion for Tasmania was nailed down when he said, ‘I will be using my position to protect Tasmania’s interests and its people.’ He crossed the floor to do so and, lately, as president, had a bronze statue of a Tasmanian tiger in his presidential office as a talking piece to remind people where he came from. He helped deliver the highly successful Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme, the Antarctic Airlink, the restoration of St Mary’s Cathedral, the Orielton water recycling project and also community projects, such as the Huon Valley Police and Citizens Youth Club.

Senator Calvert also spoke at length in his first speech on the fishing sector, and I may have a bit more to say about that tomorrow, other than I think his predictions on aquaculture growth were quite conservative, although I note as an aside—and Senator Ian Macdonald will also enjoy this—that research into Bass Strait scallops was an issue raised 20 years ago and it still remains an issue today. He concluded his first speech by saying:

I pledge myself to upholding the traditions of this most honoured place and fighting to retain the very important position the Senate holds in the parliamentary system of Australia.

As Senator Calvert leaves this place, he can be well satisfied that he has fulfilled the pledge that he made those 20 years ago. He can also be satisfied that he has been a faithful servant to the people of Tasmania and the Liberal Party. I know that his insights and views are highly valued by our Prime Minister and all my ministerial colleagues. He was at all times professional, courteous and polite, with a joke for all occasions. But he also knew how to be deadly serious. When liberties were taken which broke the bounds, Senator Calvert could be just as robust as any of us. I recall a particular meeting that, I think, was held in my office where Senator Calvert actually surprised me with his robustness and I was very thankful that I was not the subject of that particular robustness.

In short, Senator Calvert has been a contributor and has genuinely added value to public policy and decision making. Tasmania and Australia are better off because of his contribution. On behalf of the people of Tasmania, the Tasmanian Liberal Senate team and the Tasmanian division of the Liberal Party, I thank Senator Calvert for his sacrifice of service over 20 years.

Finally, to Jill and his family: thank you for lending Senator Calvert to us so he could make this astounding and memorable contribution. To Senator Calvert, we say: enjoy your family, your children, your grandchildren, your farm, your golf and the Shearwater Health Club and, as you do, look back on the 20 years that you have served here with pride and satisfaction. To use the colloquialism: ‘You’ve done good—real good.’ You leave at a time of your choosing with our very sincere best wishes and we wish God bless.

In my role as Manager of Government Business in the Senate, I seek leave to incorporate speeches by Senator Barnett, Senator Ian Macdonald, Senator Colbeck and Senator Coonan, who wish to have their thoughts and comments on Senator Calvert’s excellent career incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.