Alan Eggleston (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I have always admired politicians of conviction and principle whose position on any issue could always be predicted, and tonight we are farewelling three such people. First is Julian McGauran, whose commitment to the Catholic Church and its principles has always guided his actions here. We saw that in the euthanasia debate, the stem cell debate and many other issues. Julian is a genuine man of principle. I worked with Julian as the Deputy Government Whip when he was the National Party Whip and I got to know his other side: his humour. He is a great man with a great sense of occasion at times.

Cory Bernardi referred to the fact that his wife was looking for a girlfriend for Julian. I seem to remember that when Julian was the delegate to the IPU a few people noticed that he spent a lot of time in South America and was learning Spanish. Some people thought there might have been a senorita from one of the Central American states involved!

Nick Minchin, of course, is a person of strong political convictions. He is one of the real conviction politicians of the Liberal Party. He is a man that I put on the same level as people like Sir Charles Court, Bill Hassell and, of course, John Howard in the federal arena—people who always were guided by their principles and people who you could always predict would take the position they did based on the situation and the principles which they applied. I admire you greatly for the fact that you are a man of such great principle, Nick, and I think you will leave a great hole in the canvas of the Liberal Party when you leave us.

Lastly, Alan Ferguson is another senator of conviction and commitment. Alan's commitment has been to the institution of the Senate. I think Alan, more than most, understands the importance of this house as an independent house of review within the Australian political system. Alan has always made sure as far as he can that that respect for this institution is maintained. I knew Alan as the Chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, and I must say he carried out that job with great dignity, aplomb and skill.

I wish all three of you every success in whatever you do after parliament.