Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I was on my way to a division. The only fresh air you get is if you walk across the courtyard on the way to a division and the only exercise I get is carrying the ministerial files to question time, but I hope to fix that over the break. So to all those who work here, thank you for all your support. We know that once we leave the place runs much better—it is like a hospital without patients—and the clerks will be much happier running the show without us.

To my senators and their staff, thanks for the tremendous work effort this year and the support you have given to me and to the ministers and to the Prime Minister. Even though we make unreasonable demands of you, we really do appreciate how you people take on those demands. I would particularly like to acknowledge the whip, Anne McEwen, who has done a fantastic job after having been dropped in the deep end, and also Senator Ludwig, who continues as Manager of Government Business in the Senate. So to them and their staff, I say thank you for your support.

I conclude by saying we think everyone will be all the better for a rest and we look forward to the parliament resuming in early February. Of course, the work does not stop for members of parliament or their staff, but I think it will be at an easier pace. So I say thank you to everyone for their help during the year and I wish a merry Christmas and a restful break to all involved.