Michael Ronaldson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Special Minister of State) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to say a few words tonight about the non-coalition senators who are retiring and I wish them all well. Particularly I would like to make mention of Senators Andrew Murray, Natasha Stott Despoja and George Campbell.

I have been on a number of committees with Senator Murray. I always know when I have gone far enough because Andrew just looks at me, and I know that I have said as much as I should say and it is time to let someone else have a say. I do hope that he and I leave this place as friends, because I do value very much his intellect and the contribution he has made to this place.

As for Natasha Stott Despoja, I have known Natasha for a long time, and her record speaks for itself. I wish her well. To see someone who was certainly a young warrior settle into motherhood so remarkably easily I think is fantastic, and I wish her and Ian the very best.

George Campbell is someone I will also miss. I am a little bit concerned; I find George a bit hard to understand when he gets excited, but that is going to pale into insignificance when Dougie Cameron gets here and gets overly excited. So if Doug could just slow down a bit I think we would all be very grateful. I have had the opportunity to mix socially with George outside this place and I think he, like me, is a great believer that you leave the wars in this place and that there is the opportunity for us to enjoy each other’s company outside it.

There has been something quintessentially Australian about the discussion tonight: there has been mention of ‘Kempie’ and ‘Watto’ and a whole lot of discussion that I think you probably would not see in any other parliament in the world; that is what makes ours so unique. I will start with ‘Watto’—Senator John Watson—but I do also want to pay tribute to Jocelyn. Kate and I had the good fortune of going on a delegation—in some 15 years I have been on two delegations, which probably makes me the silly one—to the European parliament. John—Watto, Senator Watson—led that delegation and Jocelyn was there, and they were marvellous delegation leaders. I think we have all been the better for their leadership and experience. John, we are going to miss you, and Jocelyn particularly deserves a big vote of thanks from everyone in this parliament.

Sandy Macdonald: if someone could explain to me what the sense is of the Sandy Macdonalds of this world not being here, then I would be grateful for their input, because I find it quite bizarre. Sandy will be missed; I would have thought he would be missed by his party. He is a warm and engaging person, and I wish him well.

Ross Lightfoot—Mr Acting Deputy President: you and I share experience, because one of my first jobs, apart from hay-carting, was working in an abattoir—