Lisa Darmanin (Victoria, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you, Louise, for your extraordinary service; blood, sweat and tears; and leadership that you've provided to the myriad of progressive causes that matter to so many in our country. Before I came here, your reputation preceded you to me as well, as someone with great courage and conviction to strive for what is right and get outcomes. You might not remember this, but we did first meet a bit less than a decade ago, I think, when we were both involved with the national committee of EMILY's List. Jess spoke about women supporting women, and you absolutely lived your values through EMILY's List, and we crossed paths there for a short time. You had baby Jasper in tow at a particular meeting in Melbourne that I was at, and I remember being so impressed back then, about how you managed everything—be such an amazing activist for women, undertake the important role in politics you played, be a community activist and find the time for EMILY's List, all while juggling your new little one.

You travelled from Perth to be in Melbourne in your own time, at your own expense, for national meetings with everything else that you had on your plate. You were just the kind of role model that has inspired so many, as others have said. Never did I imagine that I would become your bench buddy so many years later. Whilst we haven't been parliamentary colleagues for very long at all, I want to thank you for your kindness and generosity as we've sat here over the many hours in the months that I've been here, and for your generosity in helping me to navigate the weird, confusing and sometimes scary things as we sit on these red seats. I can confirm that the little space station down here still exists, but there are many useful things that have helped me over the last few months. You've demystified many things, at many times, and provided a quiet word or some steadying encouragement—as a new senator, one sometimes gets a bit overwhelmed.

You have really gone out of your way to help me settle in, and I think you were the first one to use the little phone under the desk to call my office and help me get some notes when I was in a particular flap at one point in time. Your contribution has been extraordinary. I wish you all the best and I say thank you to your family and friends for sharing Louise with all of us. I hope that you get to spend so much beautiful time with your family and friends.