Alan Ferguson (President) Share this | Hansard source

I have the opportunity to conclude these remarks in relation to my good friend Senator Paul Calvert. Senator Murray was talking about the transient nature of this place. One of the things I did prior to becoming President was to check how many senators I had served in this place with. I have been in the Senate for just over 15 years. There have been, I think, around 500 senators since Federation, and I have served in this place with 159 of them. It makes you wonder how many senators Senator Calvert has served with, having been here for five years longer than me. It would certainly be well over a third of the senators that have ever served the Australian people in this place. It is a very transient place.

I will be losing someone who is, aside from some of my South Australian colleagues, probably the best friend I have ever had in this place. I am friends not only with Paul but also with Jill and the family. I can promise you that Paul, when he retires, will be a good grandfather, as he has always been. I hope that Jack and Ben run him off his feet. He is going to build himself a new house on the beach in Tasmania. You are all invited, and I can promise you, having seen the plans, you will nearly all fit in at once! Some of my colleagues have been unkind enough to say that Senator Calvert’s leaving will improve both my health and my wallet!

Paul, you have been a wonderful servant of the Senate. The one thing that we will remember most about you is the pride that you have in your state and the way in which you have promoted all things Tasmanian. I have been to dinners with Paul and visiting delegations. We have been talking about the Middle East and Senator Calvert would say ‘Well, in Tasmania—’.

You have been a wonderful servant for your state, Paul, and you will long be remembered in this place for a number of things. You will long be remembered because of the respect that you have had and your ability to get on with all people. You said that you got on with nearly every member you served with in the Senate. I think that is a real achievement. Amongst us there are always some who we like more than others, but you never let that show. I think that is tremendous, and you will be remembered for that.

The other thing that Senator Calvert will be remembered for is being a magnificent host—far too generous a host at times. He has had the ability to move amongst circles of people on both sides of the chamber, visiting delegations and people in the House. It does not matter where he has represented the Senate as President—and even prior to his election to the presidency—he has always been a very generous and convivial host who treated people so well. When Paul invites people to dinner very few ever say no. I think that is a tribute to him. Jill has been alongside of him for most of those times; she has performed the role of President’s wife and Paul has performed the role of President in a manner than I can only hope to emulate.

I am losing a friend who has chosen his time to retire. I think it is just wonderful, Paul, that you have decided that this is the time of your life when you want to move on and do other things. I think that is a tremendous credit to you because it is true that this place can become a little addictive. People find it difficult to leave. I know of very few people who have left the Senate and have not said, at some stage after leaving, that they miss the place. I know you will be moving on to other things and your life will be very full, with the big circle of friends that you have in Tasmania. Spare a thought for us back here just occasionally.

You had a wonderful attribute of being able to choose very good staff. Your staff have been wonderful to you. Some of them are here today. I know Vince is moving on but your staff are so good that I have chosen to retain the rest of them. They have proven what a wonderful asset they can be. I know you consider them to be an asset and one of the recommendations that you made to me was that, because your staff had been so good, I would be a very wise person to keep them on.

I am not going to repeat all the things that have been said about your career here. I will have a chance to do that privately and in some other places. You will be remembered for a very long time for your contribution to this Senate. Thank you, Paul.