Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

Before members depart, I just want to address the House on a matter that you'll all be very much interested in. I can inform the House that the Clerk, David Elder, has advised me of his intention to retire in the not-too-distant future. He will be here for the rest of this parliament and for the first part of the next parliament, so we won't have any speeches today.

Depending on the timing of the election, he will retire in July or August, once the new parliament's set in. But I just wanted to announce that to the House. He's done that in good time so that I can begin the process of selecting a successor. He's served the House of Representatives for 38 years and five years as Clerk. At his request we're not doing speeches today, but I think a warm round of applause would be appropriate.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

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