Brett Mason (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Education) Share this | Hansard source

We were on holidays together; that is right. Suffice to say, Sandy, you and I have not changed at all—we have not aged. That holiday was a long time ago. I remember smoking all your cigars and drinking all your grog overseas. I thank you for your always wonderful company, your urbanity and your waspish wit, which I loved. You were generous to most but devastating to some, and I will miss you.

Senator Watson is the father of the Senate. John, there was always a kind word from you, and that is rare in politics. You were always very supportive, and that is rarer still. I thank you personally for that. You have been a wonderful senator for 30 years, and all of us will miss you. We will miss your experience, your warmth, your civility and, John, Tasmania is a better place because of you. I thank you very, very much for all you have done.

Senator Chapman, your service in parliament—I was thinking about this before when you spoke, Grant—spans the defeat of the Whitlam government right through to the election of the Rudd government. You have seen it all. You are a great survivor, you are wise on matters financial and corporate and you have brought a dignity and bearing to this place which will be sorely missed. Grant, my only bit of real regret is that I never bowled leg spin to you.

Senator Lightfoot is a gentleman and is one of the great characters of this place. In fact I think he is quite a romantic figure in his own way. Ross repeatedly asked me to go to Iraq with him. Fortunately I did not go, because I am not very good with guns. He is much better at that sort of thing than me. I have to say there is no-one I would rather have a gin and tonic with than Ross Lightfoot. He has also been wonderful company—different, but a wonderful character in this place.

Senator Kay Patterson warmly welcomed me to this place. She cautioned me when I became too abrasive, counselled me when I needed help and praised me when I did the right thing.