Helen Kroger (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—I note the time is four minutes to six and when you rise as chair tonight, Madam Acting Deputy President Coonan, at six o'clock I would also like to note that you will be rising as a senator for New South Wales. It would be remiss of me not to put on the record our thanks to you for the enormous contribution you have made not only to the coalition and to the Liberal Party but to the people of New South Wales and to the people of Australia. You have served this Senate and those in New South Wales with enormous distinction. You have been a wonderful mentor for many of us. You have been very generous in sharing your knowledge and experience and have given great advice. We wish you our very best for the years to come. We know many careers will be opened up for you to pursue and we wish you all the best. In particular, thank you for the enormous contribution you have made.

Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

by leave—On behalf of the government, I would like to affirm the comments made by Senator Kroger. As a New South Wales senator, I am well aware of your work and commitment to the people of New South Wales and to your constituents. Also, as someone who has observed you as a minister and a cabinet member, I know that you have had a number of difficult and challenging portfolios. You have always put the interests of the government and the country first. On behalf of the government, I wish you well in your future endeavours.