Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

I wanted to take the opportunity before the day commenced to thank my Senate colleagues from across the chamber for the messages of condolences and sympathy on the passing of my father. I particularly thank, first, my own colleagues—Senator Farrell, Senator McCarthy and Senator McAllister—for covering me at estimates, and also Senator Gallagher and Senator Urquhart. I did want also to take the opportunity to thank the opposition. Because of their agreement, I was able to spend my father's last days with him and not attend estimates. I thank Senator Birmingham and Senator Ruston for that. I appreciated it deeply, as did my family.