Anne Urquhart (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to make a small contribution to this valedictory for Louise. Louise was here when I first arrived in the Senate, and I can remember back in, I think, October 2014 when Jasper was born. I was in Western Australia for a committee hearing, and I thought, 'Oh, Louise has had her baby; I might see if I can visit her.' That was a terrible thing to do; he was two days old! But, of course, I rang Louise because I had to see this beautiful baby, and she said yes. I've always taken an interest in Jasper and watched how he's grown and all his activities. When Louise was the deputy whip, we used to sit here a lot—I'm telling a few secrets now—and watch little videos of what Jasper was doing at home at the time. Last year Louise talked to me about this new puppy that they had and how the puppy had chewed his teddy, so I got to work with my knitting needles and knitted Jasper a new teddy. I hope you've still got it, Jasper!

Anyway, we've worked really closely on committees, supported each other as senators but also as whips here for some time—I haven't added up the months and years but always enjoyed that—and spent many hours here together in the chamber.

Lou is an AMWU comrade. She's a very kind, gentle and compassionate person and a very hard worker. I have watched how she works really hard. Lou is the only person in the Senate I know who has their own electrical and communications substation under their desk. It is uniquely Lou. If anyone sat at her desk during a division, they'd know what I mean, and I'm sure it's still hooked up there somewhere. It is uniquely her. I don't think anyone else could get away with that in the Senate chamber, but Lou certainly has.

Lou, I want to wish you all the very best wherever your next chapter takes you, and I know that you'll continue to make a really valuable contribution wherever that leads you. So congratulations and best wishes.