Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I'd like to associate the Greens with the comments of the President, the Leader of the Government in the Senate and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, and add ours.

John, thank you for your years of dedicated service. You have been here longer than most of the senators in this chamber right now. You've seen a lot go on in this place. Those of us who have had to sign documents remember your gold pen. I think we're about to see it—the famous gold pen with which we always sign our bills and anything else that we have to sign, when you require us to sign something. It takes a particular kind of dedication to continue to work in this place for so long. In this place you have mentored many attendants who follow your dedication, support and guidance. We wish you the best. I understand you are going to be spending a lot more time with your grandchildren—something that I can deeply understand. I would like to add, though: drive across the Nullarbor. I have done it many times. Ignore Senator Wong's comments about it being boring; it is glorious, particularly as it leads to my home state. We all wish you well into the future.

Honourable senators: Hear, hear!