Guy Barnett (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

The incorporated speech read as follows

Mr President, today I pay tribute to outgoing Senate President Paul Calvert as a great warrior for our home State of Tasmania and for his party.

In his 20 year career Paul Calvert has represented Tasmania with enormous distinction and influence. In his easy and persuasive style he has provided great leadership and we will miss his vast experience.

Mr President, every so often the Parliament is witness to the retirement of a rare breed of politician —a person with real charm, leadership, both a raconteur and passionate representative for average Australians, and of course a thoroughly decent human being.

I have no hesitation in crediting Paul Calvert with all those attributes, and I am sure that they in no small measure figured in his elevation to the Senate Presidency in 2002.

He has been a force for stability during his time as a Senator, as Government Whip in the Senate and as Senate President since August, 2002.

Paul Calvert’s Senate career has done so much to restore the credibility and standing of those in public life in Australia. He has done much to restore the basic credentials of a politician, and that is to serve your electors and represent their best interests no matter what side of politics they hark from.

As deputy warden and then warden of the Clarence Municipality between 1981 and 1987 Paul remains a highly respected community leader, showing great leadership in his home community on Hobart’s Eastern Shore and indeed across Tasmania.

As a farmer and Show Society representative, he was as much at home with constituents in his own community as he was at home as Senate President in Canberra, receiving visits from royalty and Heads of State from countries like the United States and China.

Mr President, a great warrior and a first rate representative is departing these hallowed precincts, and I feel both proud and privileged to be here as a fellow Tasmanian Liberal Senator to mark and to hail his send off.

I know political spouses carry a heavy load and Jill Calvert has been supreme in this role.

I warmly wish Paul and his wife Jill and family a well deserved happy retirement .