Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows

It has been a great privilege to know and work with Senator Paul Calvert since my election to the Senate in 1996.

Of course, Paul’s service to the people of Tasmania and Australia more broadly spans a period of twenty years since he was first elected in 1987 and subsequently in 1990, 1996 and 2001.

His distinguished contribution to numerous committees and seminal work on the Select Committee Inquiry into Animal Welfare—Intensive Livestock Production has been commented on by others and I will not repeat these milestone achievements.

Rather, I want my comments and my reminiscences to be about Senator Calvert the man, whose personal qualities equipped him superbly to be the Government Whip in the Senate from February 1997 to August 2002 and the crowning achievement of his career, becoming President of the Senate from August 2002 until yesterday.

It was as Deputy Whip to Paul from 1998 to 2001 that I had the opportunity to get to know him well. We became known Mr & Mrs Whip. We ran an efficient team much like the webbed feet beneath the swan!!

We knew each others strengths and weaknesses and we complemented each other very well. I know that I had reached a significant juncture in our relationship when the locked door between our two offices got unlocked suddenly and we worked seamlessly thereafter.

We had a lot of fun and as much as I enjoy being a Minister and Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, I do look back with a great deal of affection on our days spent together as Whips.

Paul was very well suited to assume the Presidency and he has as expected acquitted himself superbly. His hospitality is legendary and his warmth and his engaging personality stood him in good stead to receive numerous foreign delegations and make them feel welcome.

Paul is the real deal, the genuine article, with the ability to listen to the concerns of his constituents and the capacity to do something to address those concerns.

With his background in Local Government and rural activities he truly represented the heartbeat of Australia.

Throughout his long and distinguished career he has been supported and loved by Jill, his children and his grandchildren.

As they contemplate their future, the Calverts can be well satisfied that they have given of their best and that they have made a real difference to public life in Australia.

I will sincerely miss you Paul and will always regard our time in the Senate with great affection. Good luck and enjoy!!