Richard Colbeck (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to associate my remarks with those of my colleagues who have spoken before me in this debate today and pay tribute to today's batch of retiring speakers. Firstly, Nick Minchin, who was my senior minister in the Finance portfolio for a period of time, from the time that I arrived was always one of the figures that I looked up to as a sage voice. We did not necessarily always agree on some of the issues that we talked about, but one of the things that I really valued when I was his parliamentary secretary, though we did not interact an awful lot—I did not have to pester him a great deal, but he did not come to badger me—was that we had some pretty serious discussions about some major issues and, when I had made a decision, he would back me all the way through the process. There were a couple of really very difficult ones and a couple of quite significant ones that probably will never see the light of day, but once the decision had been made Nick followed that decision through the process that existed and provided me with support all the way through. I always appreciated that support.

I had the opportunity to travel with Nick and Kerry 18 months ago, and we had a great time on that delegation. It was a good opportunity to get to know each other personally. It was the time when Oliver was going through a lot of his significant issues. I wish you and your family all the best, Nick. Taking the time to get out when you do is really important.

Fergie, sometimes we think this place is all about us. We get into a mindset. We get involved in our work. It has been so important to me to have someone to remind me—remind us all—every now and then about the institution that we are involved with. You spoke about that today, and I think it is really important that you put what you did on the record today and have reminded us over a period of time about the institution we belong to, how we operate within it and how our manner and how we conduct ourselves in this place can aid the operation of the place. I think that was a really important contribution.

I appreciate our friendship. It has more often than not been over a glass with a bit of ice and a small dash of something else in it, but it has always been convivial. I have enjoyed, appreciated and valued your friendship. Again, I wish you and your family all the very best into the future.

Julian, you mentioned in your presentation your salute to the chamber. Unfortunately, I was the cause of that. In fact, I was with your brother out on the front lawns at the time. I came back and apologised. I said, 'Mate, I'm sorry for causing all the trouble,' and you said to me, 'Mate, I think I've taken the pressure off you.' You leave today, with a speech like that, in great dignity and style. You really do yourself credit. Congra­tulations and all the best for the future.