Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate records its deep regret at the death, on 31 March 2012, of Senator Judith Anne Adams, Senator for Western Australia, places on record its appreciation of her long and meritorious public service and tenders its profound sympathy to her family in their bereavement.

'I am looking forward to getting on with the job of strengthening Australia.' With those words Senator Judith Adams concluded her first speech in this place. It was a speech which gave a wonderful insight into what would be an all too short but nevertheless by any measure a very full period of service as a senator. She got on with the job, and she did help to strengthen our great nation, Australia. We in the coalition lost a true friend on 31 March 2012. At the thanksgiving service for Judith Anne Adams it became obvious that her local community of Kojonup had also lost a great friend and community leader as well, and two sons had lost a loving mother. The service, so ably led by the Reverend Lindy Rookyard, heard many a moving anecdote, especially from her two sons, of whom she can be extremely proud. We heard of a life well lived, dedicated to the service of others. As an aside, it was good to see and hear Wilson Tuckey, the former member for O'Connor, actually sticking to a script and being reduced to tears. When a bloke like Wilson Tuckey is reduced to tears, you know you have been part of a very deep and moving occasion. And so it was, because everyone felt the loss of Judith as a personal loss.

For us in the Liberal Party, we lost a respected friend and colleague—our senior Deputy Opposition Whip. The presence at her memorial service from across all the parties was a wonderful tribute, as is the very kind courtesy extended to me this afternoon by the Leader of the Government in the Senate by allowing me on behalf of the coalition to move this condolence motion. I know that Senator Judith Adams would have been most grateful for that, and we on this side of the chamber, Senator Evans, are very grateful. We Liberals lost a committed worker, be it in committee work or be it doorknocking—especially in the seat of Hasluck. She was one of those senators who was able to debunk the stereotype that senators have no idea who constituents are and that senators have no idea what grassroots politics is all about. She was the exemplar of grassroots politics in the Liberal Party. Marginal seat members in the other place, from both sides of politics, could take a great big chunk out of Senator Adams's book about looking after the grassroots areas of their electorates. So, be it doorknocking or be it attending functions, Senator Adams was there, getting on with the job that she dedicated herself to in that first speech.

Our senior deputy whip had those endearing qualities of a lady brought up on a farm, who worked the farm and had a career in nursing in both the military and country areas—qualities of determination; a no-nonsense attitude tempered with a genuine loving soul. Her no-nonsense approach, chances are, would have her protesting that it is a waste of good opposition time today not to have question time and not to hold the government to account. I think she would have preferred the Senate to undertake its normal business. But I also know that Senator Adams, watching on as I am sure she is, will appreciate this token by the chamber, by all senators, to adjourn later on this afternoon in appreciation and recognition of her great work as a senator.

Senator Adams had a work ethic second to none. She was unassuming yet absolutely forceful. The feminine and finer things of life were part of Senator Adams's make-up too. When we go to the senior deputy whip's office now, there are not the wonderful floral displays that always welcomed you. Can I thank our Chief Opposition Whip for organising the sheaf of flowers that rests on Senator Adams's desk as a tribute to our colleague. I think Senator Bushby will have something to live up to in relation to the flower arrangement side of things in the whip's office.

Senator Adams's policy interests were broad and varied. Her maiden speech bears testimony to that. Her work bears testimony to the fact that she was actively engaged in following through, or getting on with the job. Her support for the military, both through her rich family history—having lost her grandfather, a New Zealander but a member of the ANZAC forces at Gallipoli—and through her public policy pursuits, was there for all to see. The presence of our military at the thanksgiving service, for the ode and the last post, was something that Senator Adams would have truly appreciated and treasured.

The last time I personally saw the good senator was shortly before Christmas, while attending a business roundtable that she had organised. She conducted the forum as though all was well. It was only afterwards that she sort of confided that she was in some discomfort. Her tenacity and stoicism would put a lot of us blokes to shame. Her obvious pain, even before the parliament rose, was dismissed by her as some passing ailment that would soon be overcome. When I spoke with her this year she was apologetic about the need to seek a pair. She spoke of the nuisance value of her ailments, all of which she was sure she would overcome. While in hospital, she followed question time, and she regretted not being able to fully follow estimates in February. Such was her dedication to duty as a senator. If we should be afflicted as our dear friend was, may we be able to show the same grace, patience and determination as displayed by Senator Adams. Her loves were there for all to see: the Liberal Party; meeting people; doorknocking; committee work, especially in the Senate Standing Committees on Commu­nity Affairs; the rural and regional areas of Australia; and her beloved state of Western Australia—but, above all else, her family.

The Bible reading chosen by the Reverend Rookyard as the basis for her homily on the occasion of the memorial service was taken from Ecclesiastes chapter 3. Part of that scripture read, in verses 12 and 13:

I know that there is nothing better for men than to be happy and do good while they live. That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil—this is the gift of God.

Senator Adams was richly blessed. She was happy, she did good while she lived and she found satisfaction in all her toil or, as she would put it, 'getting on with the job of strengthening Australia'. May Senator Adams rest in peace. Condolences to her extended family. The coalition salutes not only a great senator but, above all, a great person.

Honourable senators: Hear, hear!