Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to take this opportunity to add my words of appreciation to the senators retiring from the government benches.

Senator Kerry O'Brien first entered this place in 1996, almost 15 years ago, and he has certainly left his mark in this chamber, in the party and in the community he represented. Kerry has been a passionate advocate for Tasmania and for rural and regional Australia. He was heavily engaged in grassroots and community groups. In his role as the national duty senator for Lyons he worked very closely with his parliamentary colleague Dick Adams, federal member for Lyons, to service what is a vast electorate in Tasmania.

His policy work, knowledge and insight across a range of areas, from primary industries, fisheries and forestry through to aviation safety has been an immense support to the party and the parliament. Through his work on the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, Kerry has ensured that rural, regional and transport issues from across Australia were well represented in the parliament and informed future policy.

As a staffer, I well remember Kerry's work throughout 1998 in gathering evidence through the Senate committee process from questions to department officers and ministers on the waterfront dispute and the then Howard government's role in that dispute. The answers were carefully framed but enough came out because of Kerry's work for the Labor opposition to begin pulling together the threads of the government's strategy. I also want to echo the sentiments of Senator Sherry when he reflected on the contributions and sacrifices that Kerry made to serve the Senate, the parliament and his party.

Senator Dana Wortley, I have very much enjoyed our time together in parliament, and also many of the times we spent outside of this place. I first met Dana in September 2005 when I came to this place and we immediately struck up a friendship. Dana has an easy, straightforward manner and makes all efforts to ensure those around her are contented. I do not think it is allowed to be down or glum in Dana's presence. Your energy, advice and insight into parliamentary debate, in the caucus and around the dinner table, helped to make the past six years incredibly memorable.

Dana has proven to be a senator with integrity and dedication, diligently pursuing issues of interest to her and to her home state of South Australia. Whilst I cannot say that I was there personally to witness your sporting prowess—and despite all attempts by you for me to exhibit my netballing skills—I have been told that you were a key part of the parliamentary netball team, despite your size. Your work in Vision 2020 Australia has been vitally important, and I hope that you will continue your passionate advocacy for the elimination of avoidable blindness. It was pleasing to see Vision 2020 Australia at their annual dinner on Monday night pay tribute formally to recognise your role and efforts in raising awareness of eye health and vision care.

I also know that Dana has been honoured to chair the very important Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety. Dana tabled a significant report yesterday, entitled, High-wire act: cyber-safety and the young,which has made a number of important recommendations as a result of the work carried out by the committee, led by Senator Wortley, to ensure that this environment is safer for all users, but especially for our young.

You have remained as passionate in your final days in this chamber as you were when you first arrived, and I admire the commitment you made to serving your constituents, your state and our great party. If you know Dana, then you know that the most important factor in Dana's life is her family. I know the long absences away from her family have been very hard on Dana. I thank you again for your hard work and dedication. I wish you, your husband, Russell, and your much-loved son, Che, all the best for the future. You will be missed.

Senator Michael Forshaw and I did not come across each other in committees other than briefly in the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration. I came to know Mike when we encountered each other in our roles as parliamentary convenors for our respective factions—me, new to the role; and, Mike, the father of the right faction. Mike tutored me in the dark arts of trip formulas and committee memberships. Of course, there is no truth to the rumours that I vacated the left convenor's position to avoid the never-ending meetings on formulas. However, I was rewarded for my work by Mike; he gave me the position of chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Publications—non-paying, of course.

I always thought I did a good job in my negotiations with Mike Forshaw, which probably attests to Mike's abilities to let you believe that you were doing well, whilst he took home all on his shopping list—the mark of a good factional leader. I would like to echo Senator Arbib's comments: 'Mike 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.' And might I add that sentiment goes to his enormous contribution to committee inquiries.

Mike, your loyalty to the party and your commitment to Labor's core values remains unshaken. Whilst we have not always agreed, I have always been entertained by your humour and wit. I respect your dedication and your contributions in the caucus and in the parliament.

Senator Annette Hurley, you have had a respected parliamentary career both at the state and federal levels. Your early speeches in the Senate about social inclusion and a cohesive national identity and your work in the shadow ministry of immigration and citizenship was instrumental in formulating our current policy. Madam Acting Deputy President, I seek leave to incorporate the rest of my speech in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The remainder of the speech read as follows—

I want to take this opportunity to commend Senator Hurley for her efforts. Your contributions were always considered and your analysis was a welcome addition to policy debates.

Annette is a quiet achiever but has been a significant achiever and one I have been honoured to work with in the Senate.

I wish you and Bob well for the future.

Senator Steve Hutchins. My fixed view of Senator Hutchins when I came to this chamber was one of being a factional warrior and rewarded thus, and perhaps he was but Steve Hutchins is much more than that—Steve is a dedicated, able and passionate senator. A senator who feels deeply.

I have always found Steve to be frank and forthright and as his colleagues know Steve has a very long memory.

It was Steve Hutchins who assisted me with my first caucus victory though technically this took place outside the caucus room—Steve though not involved in the issue joined me in solidarity in my attempt to ensure that an unwelcome intrusion was ejected from the caucus room.

In his first speech to the senate in 1998—Steve spoke of ordinary people—the forgotten, the disadvantaged and indeed that sense of social injustice remains with him today so it was indeed fitting that those people were his focus in his last speech here tonight.

As he heads off to Victoria, he perhaps he might like to give the SL a call. Whatever happens, I hope Victoria treats him and his family well.

Good luck and best wishes to all retiring senators—you all have served this parliament well.