Claire Moore (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to pay my respects and acknowledgement to all the retiring senators of this Senate, but this evening we are here to talk about our experiences with Senator Barnett, Senator Trood and Senator Troeth. Senator Trood: as a Queenslander, thank you. I was not thrilled on the night of your election but, from the experience we have had since, I particularly acknowledge your work with young people and in education. Many people have spoken about your work in foreign affairs. I have seen that in Senate estimates committees, including in the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee, and when we had the opportunity to travel to Africa together. I am aware of the professional knowledge and experience you have as well as your acute assessment and strategic knowledge in that area.

Russell and I have had the chance to talk with young people in Queensland through the Constitutional Convention process and also to work with some schools that were particularly interested in how the Constitution operates and the respect, knowledge and dedication of those who work in this place. Russell, you have been truly inspirational. The young people can sense that. They know the role senators have, the responsibilities they have and the way that they can be dedicated to effective policy and make sure that they make a difference. Senators, despite their political differences, can work effectively together when talking about something that they treasure. Russell, the work you have done through the education process in Queensland will be remembered.

I note that one of the worst places to be is between you and your coffee. On a number of occasions, when arriving at places and getting ready to talk, we have had to wait just a little because Senator Trood has been in search of good coffee. I will not mention the regional centre in Queensland which Russell has damned because strong coffee was not available for him in the mornings before we started our presentations! In the time I have known Russell I have never seen him quite so discomfited. To his credit, he immediately went into a discussion with young people on the intricacies of the wild rivers legislation, bringing to it great preparation and consideration of the range of issues. That is one of the strongest skills that a senator can have. So thank you, Russell.

Senator Barnett, Guy: we know there are very many issues on which we disagree, but throughout some quite significant debates and interactions there has always been goodwill and respect. I value that. As part of the group that was with you last evening, I know the genuine respect, affection and loyalty that so many people in the diabetes area have for you, and that has been reflected in your new appointment. You have energy, commitment and true joy in seeing results. Having shared many adjournment sessions with you, I put on record my appreciation for the many times you have been flexible and helped us out when we have been trying to balance chair duty—and Madam Acting Deputy President Crossin would know this—and speaking duties. We could always do it. That will always be a special memory. I think that I have got to know at least half the Tasmanian population, because you have mentioned them in adjournment speeches in this place over the last years. I would sit in awe as we would find out about people who were members of various organisations across the country, and occasionally I would recognise repeated names. We knew that the work you were doing in Tasmania meant so much to you and that you were here to represent and to be part of the true Tasmanian spirit. So congratulations. It has been a pleasure working with you on the things on which we do agree, particularly in the areas of the student leadership program, health and making sure that our young people know that they have futures. No-one will forget the work you did on the Kids in the House program.

I particularly want to put on record some words about Senator Judith Troeth. Senator Troeth, you are a true inspiration. I have seen that from the time I first came into this place. You were particularly generous in sharing with me your knowledge on a number of committees when I was very new, and I respect the way you would perform the role of chair with grace and dignity, making sure that there was appropriate behaviour at all times in the committee. That is not an easy task and I do respect the way you did it. I have read your first speech, as many people have. It is one of those things about first speeches: they do come back, don't they? This evening with the three senators we have heard comparisons drawn with their first speeches and their final contributions in this place. I read your speech, Senator Troeth, and I wish I had made it—except for those few things about the Liberal Party; nonetheless, you brought forward issues around the role of women in our community and the need for having more women involved in our participatory parliamentary process. So many of us value and respect and are actually challenged by you. In terms of the work you have done for rural women in particular, and the story about the rural women of the year, we can celebrate those occasions and see the joy of the achievements of other women, and we are all made stronger by it.

During the process around the private member's bill—we have Senator Nash with us in the chamber, and I know that Senator Lyn Allison sends her very best wishes to you—there was a special solidarity, and no-one can forget that there was a spirit of joy. I really want to reiterate the term 'joy' in the way that that process was done. It does not matter whether you were someone who felt differently about the principle; we acknowledged that and, through the whole process, we acknowledged that we were supporting a case other people found difficult. The four of us and many supporters, staff and women across the community—across the world, in fact—were engaged in the process and wanted to be part of that and to provide support. Senator Troeth, that would not have happened without you. There is no way. Your seniority, your professionalism and the fact that you were respected by so many people in both chambers of this place made the process more effective and led to important public policy in this country

I can still remember sitting beside you in the House of Representatives—when we were finally allowed in, which was quite difficult, but we got into the green chamber. There was so much emotion and tension around, and we were all being extraordinarily well behaved, because it was important that we were. We watched the proceedings and they went on for so many minutes. People tell me what happened, but I think I was in a bit of a daze for a lot of it; we were waiting to see what happened. At the end, when we saw that the policy that we were supporting had been successful, Judith Troeth—who had remained so professional and so calm and ensured that we were all behaving well, as I said—leapt to her feet and let out a shout of joy. It was something that I had not seen leading up to that moment. In that one moment, Senator Troeth, you actually expressed for me, and for so many other people, the way that you can make a difference when you work together, and you can express your feelings when it happens. I have told you before, but I wanted to put on record in this place how important your role was. We all know that, and we are made better by it.

For the commitment that you have shown to your constituents and the people across your state but most particularly—and you have never forgotten—the commitment you have shown to women and the need for them to be respected, to have representation and to know that they are valued and have a role in public policy, I want to say thank you. I want to say 'thank you for the challenge' and I want to wish you good luck for any future challenges.