Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I too rise this afternoon to speak in support of this condolence motion for Senator Adams. There is still some debate as to whether we are the class of 2004 or the class of 2005, which is pretty typical of the class of 2005. I say that, because Judith left an instant impression when I first turned up to Senate school. She was forthright, had an opinion and was not backwards in coming forward. At the same time she was friendly. When she came to this place she broke the mould. It has been touched on by other senators this afternoon that she was a mature woman when she came here. With that came an enormous amount of determination. She was here to prove wrong those who were concerned about her being too old. She was going to represent her state and make sure they all knew she could do the job. From the contributions around the chamber thus far—I am sure there are more to come—it seems she has left a mark on all of us and set a benchmark for us to aspire to achieve as senators.

Some of the words that come to my mind when I think of Judith, and I think most people would agree, are that she was known not only in this chamber but in her community as being determined, strong, courageous, hardworking, forthright, outspoken when necessary, loyal, passionate, warm, friendly and engaging. One could also say that she was a communicator. I admired her work not only on the committee on which I served with her—the Standing Committee on Community Affairs—but also as a deputy whip. But it reminds me that being a whip is a dangerous occupation. Unfortunately, since I came to this place with Judith we have lost two sitting senators: Jeannie Ferris and now Judith. Both were remarkable women in their own right.

We have heard about Judith's contribu­tions through the committee system. I respect that contribution, but I have also been on the receiving end of Judith's passion when we held opposing positions on some contentious issues. They have already been highlighted in the chamber, but they included the debates over RU486 and stem cell research, to name a couple. As an advocate on the side opposing Judith's, I can say she was always compelling with her argument, but most of all she respected that each and every one of us could have a view, even though we might differ. There were times when she was very forthright in her views on those issues. I was in the minority as far as women on that committee, but I respected the fact that she respected me for having a different view and she ensured that those who had a different view always had the right to have a voice.

I always felt that Judith was approachable. It did not matter what the issues were—I travelled with her when we had community affairs committee inquiries into petrol sniffing, disability and ageing—she was always there to listen. The public, or in that case the media, do not always respect that in this chamber we work together very closely across and around the chamber. We spend a lot of time travelling and, as others have said, dining together. You really do get to know each other. You have enormous respect and, I would go so far as to say, have some very good friendships. In some ways, the friendships across the chamber can be stronger than some of those we have within our own parties.

I remember that when Judith first came in she would tell me how she was representing then Prime Minister John Howard and that she was going here and there. I said, 'Judith, you are going to have to pace yourself.' She said, 'Helen, someone has to do it.' I think that sums her up. She was one of those in this place who always put their hand up. She was always the first to say yes; I do not think she actually knew the word no.

She was a passionate advocate for health, particularly on issues affecting rural and regional areas of Australia. We know the work she did on ovarian cancer and breast cancer. These are just a few of the issues that she was passionate about. With her background in health, there is no reason she would not be a strong advocate. She knew what she was talking about. She was able to cut through a lot of the nonsense and get to the core of the issue.

Talking about the whips' duties—my whip is a very important person; what she says goes—you do spend a lot of time in the chamber. Late at night you wander across and chat with whoever is on duty on the other side. I have to say that it did not matter whether we were sitting late into the night or how contentious were the issues and legislation we were debating, she always had a good sense of humour—you could always approach her. I admired and respected her for that. When it comes to her life's achievements, there is no doubt that she had the love of her husband, her two wonderful sons and her extended family. Judith has left her mark—one that we, as I said before, could all aspire to as senators. But I think she will be remembered most, both by me and by everyone in this chamber and beyond, because she was not only a good senator but a good person—a caring and compassionate Australian. I even forgave her for being a New Zealander originally!

We often say in this place, particularly at a time like this, that we must make the most of every day. As those who were able to attend the memorial service would know, and as we have heard in the contributions this afternoon, Judith Adams lived and made the most of every single day, and with that life experience she enriched this chamber. I would like to place on record my deep respect for her and my condolences to her family. I appreciate that everyone here has made a contribution. I think that says a lot about Judith as an individual. Forget about the tag of Labor or Liberal; she was a member of this chamber whom we could all go to and who was compassionate and caring towards each and every one of us. I think we can all take a leaf out of her book. It is a chapter that is now closed but one that will live on.