Warren Truss (Wide Bay, National Party, Leader of the Nationals) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, I join in the remarks of others to personally compliment Ian on his long service as Clerk of the House of Representatives. Fairly early in my parliamentary career I had the opportunity to travel overseas on a delegation with Ian and I got to know him very well, to like him personally and certainly to appreciate his great skills and the respect with which he is held around the world.

It has been something of a tradition in this parliament for the Deputy Clerk to succeed the Clerk. Bernard, I congratulate you wholeheartedly on continuing that tradition. It is not just a tradition; it is a well earned privilege. The reality is that there are few people, I think, who could come from outside into this parliament and do the kind of job that is expected of the Clerk. In reality it takes years of experience to have gone through the various elements and challenges that have to be addressed each day. I think there is therefore no other school anywhere that can equip somebody adequately to be the Clerk, other than to serve on the Clerk’s staff, particularly as Deputy Clerk. So, congratulations to you, Bernard. We wish you a very successful career in this position.

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