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

I want to address a few remarks on behalf of the government in response to the speeches by three retiring senators. I offered Senator Abetz the courtesy of allowing him to go first because we were addressing the careers of three Liberal senators tonight, but, having seen him steal most of my material, I can say that that will not be happening again. They say great minds and fools think alike, but people make their own judgment about that.

But I do have much pleasure tonight in speaking on the farewells to the three senators. Senator Troeth and I were of the class of '93, along with Senator Minchin. It is a bit worrying; I think I might be the last of them left. No doubt my colleagues will sort that out soon. But I have always had a great deal of respect for Senator Troeth; she is well liked and well respected on our side of politics, although she is known also as steely, I think, for her grit and determination. I saw that during her time as a parliamentary secretary in the Howard government. She put in, I think, seven years of very hard graft in difficult portfolios and carried a big load in the Senate as well; she did that with great aplomb. Obviously she has committed herself to committee service as well and has a fine record in committee service in this parliament. Like Senator Abetz, I remarked on re-reading her first speech that she made a strong commitment to the issues of rural women and representing rural women and also representing and advocating for the role of women in politics. It is interesting to see that Senator Troeth is one of those who actually delivered on her first speech and pursued the issues she raised then. I thought she came full circle tonight and was still advocating the causes that she advocated in her first speech, which I think is a great credit to her.

I wanted to remark on her stand on refugee issues and her crossing of the floor in pursuit of her beliefs on those issues—not to take any delight from an opposition party point of view at all but to make a broader point. I think one of the best speeches given in this parliament was her speech in 2009—not because I agreed with much of it but for its power and its principle. It was a great speech. In that speech Senator Troeth implored the Liberal Party to 'grasp a new opportunity to understand the difference between sending the wrong message to those who truly wish us harm and sending the right message to those who need our help'. It is an enduring message for us all. As I say, I think it was one of the best speeches delivered in this place for many a day. It reflected, I think, the great strength of Senator Judith Troeth, and it was to her great credit. I make the point not, as I say, to highlight the differences there might have been in the Liberal Party at the time but to highlight Senator Troeth's commitment and strength of character, and also to make the point that she will better remembered as a committed, lifelong liberal. I judge her on her career. As Senator Abetz referred to, in her first speech she famously referred to this quote by Chesterton:

I know on what side I am fighting, and there is a great deal for which to fight.

I say this as a very positive thing. She is remembered by us as a very strong liberal, and I am sure she would like to be remembered as a very strong liberal. In quoting Waldo regarding success, I can assure her that she goes with the respect of her political opponents.

Senator Guy Barnett from Tasmania came in in 2002, and he has certainly been active and committed. I had the opportunity to travel to an Anzac Day ceremony at Gallipoli—I think in about 2005—with him and his wife, Kate, and it was a fantastic trip. Senator Bishop was on the trip as well, and I certainly recognise his interest in history and the role of our service personnel. I know he took great joy out of it, as did I. It was a tremendous experience.

I think Senator Barnett will be best remembered in this place as an example of how an individual senator can use their position—and I mean this in a positive way—to advocate and promote causes of public importance. We have huge oppor­tunities here. People use them in different ways, but Guy Barnett has certainly used his to provide a platform, through his activity as a senator, to promote awareness of diabetes and the need to do more to combat diabetes and also child obesity. I am very thrilled for him that he has been made an ambassador for Diabetes Australia; it is a great recognition of his work. For new senators thinking about how they can use the great opportunity and privilege of being a senator, his example in pursuing those causes is a good one. People use their opportunities in different ways. To Senator Guy Barnett I say: you have certainly made good use of the opportunity in promoting those causes. You have also been very active on the question of moral issues. I do not think you and I have agreed on any of them, but I do respect that your views are honestly held and you have been very active and committed on those.

In terms of your offer of the pedometer, I welcome that. I also want someone to use it for me so that I can rack up the figures, because I know last time I had one they were not all that impressive. Senator Faulkner used to quote me how many kilometres he had racked up—and I have since stopped discussing that with him. But I do look forward to it; it might be a spur for me to find more time again for exercise. We wish you all the best too.

Senator Russell Trood only had one term here. In many ways that is a shame because I think he had a lot to contribute and did not get the opportunity to continue to do so in a way that would have been good for the parliament and for the Liberal Party. I know he was famously the third Liberal senator and fourth coalition senator elected in 2004 from Queensland and that gave the Howard government their majority. I have a slightly different slant on that. I reckon it was the seed of the destruction of the Howard government, so I actually regard it in a very positive way. I thought it encouraged the Howard government to overreach—and you referred to Work Choices, which I think is the classic example. So I have a silver lining to that particular cloud at the time, Senator. I think it is a good lesson in politics, the majority that the Howard government achieved, and perhaps it is a broader lesson for us all. That is my take on it.

I think it was good for the Liberal Party and for the Senate that you were elected. I liked Senator Abetz's reference: you do actually look like a senator. You also behave much more like people's image of a traditional senator.