Mark Arbib (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Social Housing and Homelessness) Share this | Hansard source

That's right, its own team—and I know that, with your campaigning, you will eventually get there.

Dana Wortley and I have known each other only a very short time, but I think her smile lightens up the Senate. Dana, I have seen you speak on numerous occasions in the chamber. You are passionate about what you believe in. You are passionate about improving the lives of workers and people who are powerless. We did a bit of work together in the area of child protection, and I know how passionate you are. It has been lovely working with you and I really do wish you well in the future.

I have known Michael Forshaw for a long time. I think I first met him when I was Young Labor President in 1995. It was a big change going from Graham Richardson to Michael. They are completely different in terms of their personalities, but I have to say that Michael has proven just as effective in this place. Being the New South Wales Right convenor he has done a huge amount of backroom work. He gets little gratification for that in terms of public acceptance, but the work he has done has been so effective. To me, he has been a trusted person in whom I can confide and he has always given me support. At the same time, he has been a peacemaker in this place. There are so often disputes between factions and individuals, and Michael is always the person we go to to try and resolve them. He has also been wise counsel in some difficult times over the past couple of years. Michael, we really do appreciate this—from a factional perspective but also from a party perspective. We have worked on numerous campaigns together, from the Sutherland by-election right through to the Cunningham by-election. Many we have lost, but we have learnt from those losses, and many we have gone on to win.

Tonight you made reference to Jan, and I know a number of other senators made reference to her. You really are a team. Jan has done so much work for the Labor Party and so much work for her constituents in Sutherland. She got the largest vote in the council election, and that is no surprise because she is someone who truly represents her community. I know you have done a great deal together and her face will be missed in this chamber.

As a senator, Michael, you have generously stepped back on a number of occasions. You could have taken a ministry or a parliamentary secretary position, but you have always worked to put the party first and that is something that I and everyone else appreciates. There are two areas where you will be remembered from inside the party. One is as a duty senator. Senator Abetz referred to the amount of work you have done as a senator and on the ground. You have taken that role and have pursued it seriously. You have represented so many people in your constituency, not just ALP members. You have worked throughout the community, not only getting out there with the Labor message but also getting out there fixing people's problems.

When you talked about the BER projects that you have been to—what can I say? You are probably the best judge in the country because you have been to more BER projects than any other senator or member—and I know that firsthand. If you say it is a good program, it is a good program, because you know; you have seen it. From all the party members and constituents in those duty electorates—Hughes, Paterson, Cowper and Wentworth—thank you for the work you have done, but I know you have done a huge amount for the whole of the North Coast in representing those people. So thank you for that.

Last is the work you have done on committees. You have done a great deal of work on all committees, but the chairman­ship of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade is probably your legacy. I was a new senator who came onto that committee and I could see the workload you would undertake. The relationships you formed with ambassadors, visiting dignitaries and officers of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade were truly outstanding. You leave this Senate with an outstanding knowledge of foreign affairs, defence and trade and that record is second to none. That work really should be acknowledged. I know it is something you have a deep interest in. You talked before about the policy issues in the area. You have a deep understanding of that area, particularly the issue of human rights. I thank you for the work you have done in foreign affairs.

All three senators have been true to themselves. They have been true to the party and they have been true to their constituents. Thank you for your work and best wishes for the future.