Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President—and what a delight it is to be able to officially call you 'Mr President'!—I have the privilege to officially congratulate you on your election as our President. The regard in which you are held by honourable senators is reflected in the decision taken by the Senate today. If I may be parochial just for a moment, I note that, apart from being our 24th President, you are the fourth to come from the state of Tasmania. You follow John Blyth Hayes, of the United Australia Party; Justin O'Byrne, of the Australian Labor Party; and Paul Calvert, of the Liberal Party. I know that in a former life you served as an officer of the law. I also note that President Hayes had a prison named after him in Tasmania. I interpret all of that as a signal that we should all behave in the Senate because the President might know what to do if we do not! And, just in case that does not work, I note that the other occupation that you held before entering this place was that of an undertaker!

On a personal note, I know this is a very special day for your parents, your wife, Allison, and your children. I am sure they are very proud, as they ought to be, of your achievement in being elected to this high office by your peers. Your predecessor, President Hogg, said to us only a few days ago, in his 'non-valedictory statement', that he valued the relationship he had with you in managing this chamber and in all the other activities that a Presiding Officer undertakes outside the actual meetings of the Senate. It would be accurate to say, especially in this Canberra winter, that the President's job is a bit like the proverbial iceberg—90 per cent of it is not immediately visible. I know you will represent the Australian Senate well and continue the distinguished traditions that have been built up since 1901. On behalf of the government, the Senate and—if I might say—as a friend, I congratulate you and wish you well in the new role on which you embark today.