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

I am prepared to confess I may not have done that job well all the time, but little did Harry and the then opposition realise how fragile a one-seat majority is for two parties which do properly accord their members the right to cross the floor without fear of expulsion. As we said, we had a one-seat majority on a good day. I would have to say that managing our Senate majority at that time was the hardest job I have had in politics and I was always conscious of the state of anxiety that our Clerk experienced throughout that period.

I do want to add the rider that I think it is appropriate that our electoral arrangements are such that it is possible for the people to give a government a majority in the Senate if they so choose, albeit it is now almost impossible. It has been a privilege for me to serve in this Senate for nearly 17 of the 21 years that Harry Evans has been the Clerk, and as someone who genuinely shares his strong belief in the virtue of bicameral parliaments with strong upper houses I do applaud his dedication to ensuring the Australian Senate plays an integral role in what is one of the world’s great democracies. Harry, on behalf of the opposition I do wish you sincerely all the very best in your retirement after a wonderful career.