Nick Sherry (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law) Share this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows—

It is with great pleasure today to acknowledge two distinguished Senators who have made a significant contribution to the Senate over a combined period of 42 years.

Senator Watson and Senator Murray leave the Senate on the 30th June.

I particularly want to thank them for their contribution in the policy areas of superannuation and financial services.

This is an area some would consider droll and boring but Senators Watson and Murray have shown this can be far from the truth.

It is nice to give a valedictory to Senators, even when not in your own political party, who you know, respect and whose company you have enjoyed and whose interest and focus is often aligned to your own.

Senator Watson has had a long career in the Senate, an impressive 30 years after beginning his first term as a Senator for Tasmania on the 1st July 1978.

This length of service confers him with the title “The Father of the Senate” one which he wholeheartedly deserves.

Senator Watson a fellow Tasmanian has represented Tasmanians well, placing policy and constituency work at the forefront of his focus as a Senator. As mentioned Senator Watson has focused on financial services issues over his thirty years, as a chartered accountant this placed him in a strong position to comment in a knowledgeable, focused and thoughtful way.

I have lost track of the number of committees Senator Watson has been on, just during my time in the Senate, and I know his contribution will be sadly missed by all. In recent years we have shared time together in the Economics, Finance & Public Administration and Corporation and Financial Services Committees and have spent many a late night asking like minded questions of departments.

In particular I want to acknowledge his role as a member and Chair of the Senate Select Committee on Superannuation; he was a member from 20th June 1991 to 9th November 1998 and from 14th March 2002 to 10th September 2003 and he was Chair of this committee from 1st July 1993 to 9th November 1993 and 20th March 2002 to 10th September 2003.

Senator Murray another distinguished Senator and Rhodes Scholar, began his first term as a Senator for Western Australia on the 1st July 1996.

He also has placed strong policy and constituency focus as an essential component of politics and has dedicated his Parliamentary career to Legislative and Committee scrutiny.

His 12 years in the Senate shows a long list of committee service where again we have spent many a late night seeking answers to similar questions.

It is very important to acknowledge two distinguished Senators who complete their time in this place and to acknowledge two very successful careers with a major policy focus. As I have said they were interested, questioning, focused, and knowledgeable. Their styles and approach were always thoughtful and of consideration.

I wish John and Andrew and their families all the best for the future. I have enjoyed their company and their contribution to the Senate and policy in general. They have made a difference.

I wish them both well.