John Hogg (President) Share this | Hansard source

I take this opportunity at the end of the 2008 sittings to thank all senators for their cooperation and assistance this year. My thanks, also, to my colleagues the temporary chairmen of committees for their contribution to the work of this chamber. I would particularly like to thank the Deputy President and Chairman of Committees, Senator Alan Ferguson. Senator Ferguson was President for much of this year, and I know he would join me in thanking the many staff who support the operations in this place.

There are many people in the Department of the Senate whose hard work deserves our thanks, including the Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans; the Deputy Clerk and the other clerks at the table, for their support and advice; the Usher of the Black Rod, the Deputy Black Rod and the senators’ services staff; the chamber support staff and, in particular, the attendants and the mail attendants; staff of the Committee Office, the Table Office, the Procedure Office; and all other Department of the Senate staff, including Senate IT, printing and transport.

I would also like to thank staff of the Department of Parliamentary Services, led by Alan Thompson, including the staff of Landscape Services, Art Services, Facilities management, the guides service, and IT, Broadcasting and Hansard staff. My thanks also go to the Parliamentary Library, under the direction of Roxanne Missingham; to the Parliamentary Relations Office and Parliamentary Education Office; to those who work in security and for Protective Services at Parliament House, in particular Superintendant Mark Andrews of the AFP, who has been Protective Security Controller at Parliament House and who will be retiring after five years of service in that position; to the Health and Recreation Centre staff; to the Speaker and his staff; and, of course, to the staff of my own office, including those in Queensland.

On behalf of all senators, many thanks to all the other people who work in Parliament House and in electorate offices right around Australia. I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas period, and look forward to seeing you all at the next sitting, in 2009.