Jacinta Collins (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Cabinet Secretary) Share this | Hansard source

Deputy President, I also take this opportunity to congratulate you on your rise to this position. On a lighter and somewhat briefer note, I would like to update the Senate tonight on an announcement made 21 years ago by the then President, Michael Beahan. In question time 21 years ago he announced that my son James had been born. James has now, at 21, come of age and we are very proud of his achievements. Twenty-one years ago he was welcomed by a special motion into the Labor caucus, and 21 years ago he was the first stranger in this chamber. A lot has changed over that time.

My goal, 21 years ago—as it has been, indeed, 21 years for me too—was to demonstrate to other women that although it might be hard and difficult to manage, combining family life with political participation was possible. Yesterday was James's birthday, and I want to highlight today that James has grown to be a fine, intelligent and hardworking man of character. He is a man who, as a law student at ANU, now calls Canberra home. Happy birthday to James. I believe this is a milestone for the Senate and also demonstrates that women can combine political life with an active family life, as many men now do, too.