Paul Calvert (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I do not know whether Mr Michael Farrelley is listening tonight—I doubt it very much at 10 minutes to one in the morning—but I would like to take this opportunity to mark his resignation from the Department of Parliamentary Services after a long and distinguished service spanning 37 years. Mick joined the then Department of the Parliamentary Library in April 1969 and moved to the Hansard section of the then Department of the Parliamentary Reporting Staff in December 1975. Mick was instrumental in establishing a dedicated Corporate Services Branch in the Department of the Parliamentary Reporting Staff in February 1990. He transferred to the Department of Parliamentary Services on its creation in February 2004, and he will retire from the parliamentary service on 7 April. His service over such a lengthy period has been diligent and dedicated. He is highly regarded by his colleagues and by senators and members, and this was recognised when he was awarded a Centenary of Federation Medal. On behalf of all senators, I thank Mick Farrelley for his dedicated service and wish him all the very best for the future.