Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, my period in the House is I think six months shorter than that of the Clerk—I was not going to equate it with his. In that time I have had the opportunity to observe the professionalism of both the Clerk and his Deputy.

One of the things that have not been observed by those taking part in this debate is the particular skill that the clerks bring to assisting with amendments to complex legislation. This is a role normally fulfilled by parliamentary counsel, yet the people who are working here for us, who are familiar with the processes of the parliament, have to be across the detail of legislation for which others specialise in order to be able to offer that skill and assistance. It is a special and unique task that they undertake. The work that they have done in supporting our relevant associations and the way in which they assist parliamentarians across the political divide is something for which we need to be particularly grateful and I wanted to take this opportunity to extend my personal thanks as well.

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