Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (NSW, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Rachel, I too wanted to add some comments. It's fitting, given that we're of the class of 2004. I snuck in a bit before you all after that 2004 election, but, just looking at the order of seniority, there's me, there's Senator Polley, there's Senator Sterle and then there's you. So then there were three!

I just wanted to say that you've done a fabulous job here. People have mentioned you being the whip. Even though there were a small number of you, I think that at times it looked like it was a bit of an arduous task. You were a bit like the duck, paddling underneath but serene on top! Look, you and I worked very, very closely together on community affairs. I served on that committee. You chaired and you were involved in the committee. You chaired the references committee. I know that what a lot of people don't understand is that a lot of the work that we did on that committee was bipartisan. We produced some really good reports, reports that others have referred to. We always strived on that committee to ensure that what we produced was as bipartisan as it could be, as tripartisan as it could be, because we knew that that made the report stronger and that there was a greater chance that action would be taken in relation to it. When I was shadow minister for ageing and mental health, I know that for many years, 2009 to 2013, we worked very, very closely on that committee on so many different things, and also when I was Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services.

I know that there are things that we've shared in common, particularly in aged care. Can I thank you for the work that we were able to do in so many different areas, particularly in aged care. It doesn't surprise me, Rachel, now that you've got your commitment with your mum—I too share that. I know what it's like to have ageing parents and to feel that need to be with them at this particular time.

I've always respected the passion and commitment with which you have undertaken the work that you've done, in the belief that you were standing up for your values and beliefs. They were different to my values and beliefs at times, but I respected your passion that you were doing so because that was in the best interests of the people that you were representing. I wish you and your family all the very best. I know that you are not retiring from public life. I'm sure that you will continue, in your inimitable way, to ensure that your voice is heard. I congratulate you for your many years of service to the Senate and wish you and your family all the very best in the next phase of your life.