Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I am glad to have the chance to place some remarks on the record as we end this parliamentary year. It has been a hard year. It has been a hard year and a disruptive one for the country. Pandemic lockdowns, separation from family and insecurity of employment and in business are some of the jagged features of the year we've had. It's also been a hard year and a disruptive year for this chamber and everybody in it and everybody who supports all the people who are in it. With the isolation of lockdowns and extended periods of quarantine, it has certainly been a year that I'm quite happy to move on from, and I think everybody else would agree with that.

I will start by saying that leading this Senate Labor caucus is an enormous privilege and something for which I'm deeply grateful. I'm very proud of our team and the unity of purpose that we demonstrate. I am pleased to put on the record on behalf of my team greetings of the season and thanks. There are a few thankyous. Firstly, I acknowledge you, Mr President. Twelve months ago I didn't think I would address a new president at this time. I think you said that yourself—that you didn't expect to be in this role. I do wish you well in this important role and I look forward to our continued engagement through the perspex. My thanks particularly to the Deputy President and Chair of Committees, Senator Lines. She is onto her third president.

See, she's demonstrating. I'm just putting it out there; I'm not making a comment on it. She does a fantastic job. I said this to her privately and I'm happy to say it publicly: Sue hasn't missed a sitting, I don't think, notwithstanding being from WA, with all of the quarantine that we know that brings. That's a big effort, and I really thank her for it.

To Simon: I've always enjoyed a cooperative working relationship with you. I agree with you: sometimes people don't get this but, having a strong working relationship, if not always agreement, across parties is vital to the democracy. I sometimes think he has a hard job. He's got a lot of opposition in front of him and a little bit behind him at times. I don't know if he misses Mathias more than I do or less. I do want to say one thing, though. Senator Birmingham is part of a political power couple in our state, with his partner, his wife, serving as the chief of staff of the Premier. You can tell by the fact that we've spent so much time in quarantine that he has not managed to get any favours for either of us as a result! I wish sometimes he could have done so.

If people would allow me, I want to pay particular tribute to the Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Senator Keneally. This may or may not be the last time we will get to be together in this chamber, depending on whether or not Mr Morrison goes a bit early. I want to say in this place that Kristina has been an outstanding deputy. I've been able to count on her every single day. She is a rare talent. She's fearsome and courageous and she strengthened our team immeasurably. I am sad to lose her from the Senate, but I know she will be a formidable representative for the people of Fowler, and I wish her the very best. I haven't been able to guilt her into staying! As second best, I hope she makes a long and successful contribution in the House of Representatives. I thank her for her friendship.

I also thank, as always, my dear friend and colleague Senator Gallagher, our manager. This is the finest group of women I've worked with. This year has been a particular feat of endurance for Katy Gallagher, not only as chair of the COVID committee and with all the work she does here, but also, in the midst of all of this, because of the way in which the COVID-19 pandemic became real for her and her family. She demonstrated through that the character that she has. Put simply, Katy's just a great human being. It's great to work with you.

To the opposition whip and deputy whips—Senator Urquhart, Senator Ciccone and Senator McCarthy—whipping is the centre of chamber management, and I really want to thank you and your staff for all their work. This has been an even tougher year with all the travel and pairing and remote participation, and you've done a great job. Thank you all for your work. I know that opposition senators are really grateful for your work.

I thank all of my team for their commitment to advancing the Labor cause in the Senate this year. We don't win all of the time, but I always reckon we outperform our numerical position. It's going to be a tough few months, but we hope to be on the other side by the time I'm giving these remarks next year.

I have a few thanks to the people who support us to be here. First, thanks to the Clerk, Richard Pye; the Deputy Clerk; the whole Senate team; and the staff of the Department of the Senate. Thank you for all of your work for what is, I think, such an important institution of the democracy. Particular thanks go to the chamber attendants, who really keep this place ticking along. I particularly acknowledge the service of Adrienne Morrison, who, as the President of the chamber acknowledged this morning, is retiring after 15 years. Thanks to the secretary and staff of DPS. In particular, thanks to the cleaners, who are often not recognised sufficiently, and without whose service this place wouldn't run. Thanks to COMCAR and all of those services, the parliamentary security team and the AFP. Thank you for all the work you do to keep the parliament operating safely.

I do want to particularly express thanks for the efforts of all opposition staff. Staff have a unique role in the jobs we undertake, as contributors to and witnesses to some of the most consequential decision-making for the nation. They serve us professionally and they serve us tirelessly. As we have heard this week, this workplace has not always been the model that we would hope it to be or that the Australian people expect it to be, something which we must all collectively work to improve. Political staff make significant personal sacrifices to serve us. They make those sacrifices without complaint or resentment. Especially in a year like this year, when many of them have spent extended periods of many weeks in Canberra due to border restrictions, I say to all of them: we are grateful.

To all senators: it's been a year when, I think, a lot of passion and emotion has been expressed. As I've said many times in this place, this is where conflict is engaged in. I hope we can all work to contain that—sometimes successfully and sometimes not. Whatever differences we have, we all have people whom we love and cherish. So my hope for you is that, in this time ahead, everyone here can reconnect with those we love and replenish this most important part of our lives.

Finally, to Labor members and supporters throughout Australia, including the labour movement: on behalf of the Senate Labor team, I extend our gratitude and our hope that the holiday season is a happy and safe one. May Father Christmas deliver on 25 December and may we and the country deliver at the election in 2022. We know, with your support, we will. Merry Christmas, everybody.

Honourable senators: Hear, hear!