Barbara Pocock (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I too acknowledge Fraser's mum, Helen, and daughter Via. I thank you for lending us Fraser for so many years. Fraser was loved and appreciated by so many of us in this place, including me. In this contribution I would like to share words about Fraser on behalf of my policy advisor Emma Ball. Emma says:

I was lucky to know Fraser for about a year, as a mentor and then friend. In that short time he changed my life.

Fraser was kind and generous with his time. He'd do the legwork—like drafting a brief—but sign it off with my name. He'd plan ideas and give me the means to achieve them, but make sure I was the one doing the doing. He'd celebrate my wins with excitement and put my losses into perspective.

Fraser was a brilliant and unconventional thinker. The way he spoke about economics was particularly refreshing. His insights gave me a new lens to view the world's problems and solutions. When I said I wanted to learn more, he took me to the library and we borrowed as many books as we could carry. He believed I had the capacity to teach myself.

He'd often come to me with an idea, and I'd inevitably respond with: "you want me to do what? That's ridiculous?!" But Fraser's conviction and enthusiasm was contagious. We'd go down a rabbit hole, come out the other side with a plan, and usually manage to pull it off.

Going forward, we will find ourselves asking "what would Fraser do?" In fact, we already said that this week. He'd be resolute that we need to stand our ground, question the status quo, build alliances, fight smarter and always work with humour.

Right now, it feels hard to continue this work without you, Fraser. But deep down I know you've given me all the tools I need. Maybe I'll even find that elusive fourth sector for you.

Rest in Serenity, Fraser. I couldn't have asked for a better friend.