Nick Minchin (SA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I rise briefly on behalf of the opposition to support and endorse Senator Faulkner’s appropriately generous remarks on the occasion of the retirement of Barbara Belcher after nearly 44 years in the Australian Public Service—a remarkable record of achievement. I do so on behalf of all former members of the Howard government, which Barbara served so loyally, as she has served every government that she has been active within. I congratulate her on a great career, which Senator Faulkner has so appropriately described. She has made a remarkable contribution to this country, to government, to public servants and to good governance. She is renowned on both sides of politics and in this city for her professionalism, her remarkable knowledge of the business of government and her innate wisdom.

I think, in particular, she has been a tremendous role model for women in our Public Service. One of the great features of the Public Service is that it contains so many very impressive women. One of the privileges of having been, in my case, a minister for 10 years is to have worked with so many outstanding public servants, particularly in the central agencies—in PM&C and Finance and Treasury, where I spent much of my time. Barbara was in PM&C and she was one of many with whom it was a privilege to work. As some know, I represented the Prime Minister in Senate estimates for a number of years and was the happy beneficiary of Barbara’s briefings and advice. I was a witness to her professionalism and courteous handling of senators’ questions, which Senator Faulkner has also referred to. Indeed, Barbara was especially helpful to me when senators Faulkner and Ray were launching completely outrageous attacks upon me over our modest investment in government advertising. Barbara was there, always very courteously and politely equipping me to respond to these outrageous attacks.

It is my pleasure to briefly endorse everything that Senator Faulkner has said, and the fact that government and opposition can combine in both the House and the Senate to thank Barbara for her tremendous contribution is testament to what she has given over nearly half a century to this country. We join with Senator Faulkner and the government in wishing her all the best in what I hope is a very long and enjoyable retirement.