Slade Brockman (President) Share this | Hansard source

There being no other speakers, I wish to add a few personal reflections on the year that's been. It has been a strange year. Many weeks have been spent away from family and friends, and far too many weeks in lockdown. But during that time, when I've been in Canberra, I've been reading The Lord of the Rings to Jonathan, Eleanor and Felicity, chosen not just for its length—we commenced this long journey with Frodo in May, and we're only about halfway through. It has been one of my favourite books, carried through from my youth to adulthood. I tell you this to explain why, as we close this very strange parliamentary year, a quote from that most excellent of hobbits, Bilbo Baggins, came to mind:

I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

Now, as you puzzle that out—as have Proudfoots, and as did I when I was a young boy reading the book—I will assure you it is praise, but it is praise with a dose of humility. Taking the time to connect with our colleagues is never time poorly spent. As we all know, connections across the chamber are valuable and productive. To display civility in the face of fundamental ideological difference is the exemplar of our democracy and, particularly, of this chamber, the Senate. It is the reason I honour this place, and it is the reason I believe the role I fill is such an important one. As I take time this summer to reflect, one of the things I'll be reflecting on is how I can, in this busiest of workplaces, assist the Senate to more strongly embrace this civility.

I have more people to thank than in previous years. Very quickly, to Richard and his team in the Clerk's Office and John and his team in the Black Rod's Office: thank you all so much. I'm sure the change of presiding officer is viewed with some trepidation, but I very much appreciate all the advice and support I've received. The chamber attendants have been thanked so much: you deserve it. Thank you. To the whole staff of the Department of the Senate, who looked after us through these difficult COVID times: we all thank you so much. To Rob, Cate and all the staff of the Department of Parliamentary Services—cleaning, IT, catering, security staff and gardeners: they do a remarkable job looking after us and looking after our democracy.

To all our staff: you all do a remarkable job, and I hope you all get to enjoy a break. To my staff: I cannot thank you enough. To my team in Perth, Grace, Sonya, Reilly, Neve, Catherine and Lewis: I assure you that I will actually be out of quarantine and back in the office at some point! To my new team of Vincent, Duncan, Fiona and Shirin: thank you for supporting me in my new role so well. To Sue Lines, Deputy President of the Senate: thank you for your assistance over the past weeks as I took up the role of President. You have been an enormous support to me. I also wish to acknowledge Scott Ryan and Tony Smith, who have both assisted me enormously in recent months. And I hope and I am sure that, no matter what the future holds, it will almost certainly be slightly calmer than the role of presiding officer.

Finally to you, my colleagues, Senator Birmingham, Senator Wong, everyone in the chamber and those who couldn't be here: there are those who I know in this place deeply, whose friendship, counsel and support I greatly cherish, and there are some who have recently arrived to this place. To one and all, I offer my thanks and my sincere hope for a safe, peaceful and blessed Christmas to you all. And I'm sure we all look forward to stepping into our own homes and saying: 'Well, I'm back.' And, yes, that is another The Lord of the Rings reference. Merry Christmas to you all.