Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise as well to provide farewells to those leaving the Senate this evening. First of all, I would like to make some remarks on the leaving of one of our truly favourite senators, Senator Helen Kroger. Senator Kroger, as a senator representing Victoria from 1 July 2008—it seems so long ago—and, more recently, as Chief Government Whip in the Senate, you have proved yourself an accomplished professional. Your negotiation and skills as a strategist I think are unsurpassed. Your knowledge of the Senate and its procedures—things which, even to those of us who have been around a while longer, and certainly to me, seem to remain completely obscure—is enviable.

But it is your gentle and unassuming manner that is most remarkable in an environment not always known for graciousness or that good old-fashioned notion of magnanimity. Even under intense pressure, Senator Kroger has always been a model of civility. Perhaps this is her secret weapon—that she is so disarmingly kind and refined, belying her steely resolve and determination when it comes to issues that she believes in dearly. It is no surprise, then, that she came to win Victoria's Liberal Party presidency and, in doing so, brought a healing and a balm to what many thought was a wounded party.

Perhaps her steely resolve was forged in the modest and resilient family background in which she grew up. She stated in her maiden speech in this place in September 2008:

… while my father was a simple labourer, he knew that education was life’s great equaliser …

continuing that her parents had sacrificed their present to provide her and her siblings with a future. In this respect, Senator Kroger has never lost her ability to relate to the aspirations of many Australians who strive to achieve a better life for their children. And I know that the principles and values instilled in her by her parents continue to be a guiding light in her life. Senator Kroger was not born into privilege or wealth, but she was gifted with something far more important: strength of character; a determination to succeed and make a difference—the epitome of the 'liberal' essence.

The importance of education has been a consistent theme in Senator Kroger's life. In that maiden speech, some six years ago, Senator Kroger highlighted that, in the educational context, there is no more important form of choice than the power of parents to be able to choose where their children will be educated. She has been passionate about the education system rising above mediocrity, arguing for competition amongst public schools, and that, in particular, it was important to shatter public-sector monopolies. She very much believes that there is no valid reason why low- and middle-income families should not be able to enjoy the same power of parental choice that the wealthy take for granted.

She also understands the importance of giving back to society, having a great appreciation of volunteerism and the central role it plays in Australia and on the international stage. I understand that she was the fundraising director for Wesley College in Melbourne for six years prior to entering the political sphere. Selflessness has been an important feature of her career and personal life.

Small business has been another passion of Senator Kroger; she has called it the primary engine of Australia's economic prosperity. Like many on our side, she has been prepared to give small business its rightful place in the economy and recognise that it is at the centre of good economic management. In addition, she has had a distinguished career in human resource management—again, most apt for a woman of her capabilities in dealing with people and understanding what motivates them.

Since being elected as a senator in this place, Senator Kroger's name has become synonymous with hard work and dedication. She is the chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee and is Acting Deputy Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee. She is also a voting member of the Senate Standing Committees on Finance and Public Administration and the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, and the coalition representative on the Parliamentary Education Office advisory committee. In addition, she is a member of the coalition backbench policy committees on education, industry and foreign affairs, defence and trade, and serves as a Temporary Chair of Committees in the Senate.

She has also been a wonderful ambassador on parliamentary delegations overseas. I can recall that, in 2008, not long after you got here, Senator Kroger, you relaunched Parliamentarians Against Child Abuse and Neglect, which aims to increase the awareness of, and take action to eliminate, the serious issue of child abuse and neglect. This is something that I know you have been passionate about and you have remained so since you started in the Senate.

Senator Kroger has avoided characterisation as a feminist or as belonging to the sisterhood. But what better role model is there for women who are thinking about entering politics to make a real difference? She has never once referred to being held back because she is a woman; she has just got on with the job and has taken on the best of us males—and, in many cases, I think she has won.

Senator Kroger, you will leave a lasting legacy—you will not be forgotten. I thank you on my own behalf, and on behalf of my staff and the National Party, for the impeccably courteous and helpful manner with which you have always dealt with us. It has meant a lot to us.

I have no doubt that the next chapter of your life will be just as rewarding because you will continue to seek out the opportunities that will allow you to make a contribution. Good luck in your further endeavours.

In the interests of those opposite who, I know, also wish to make a contribution, I seek leave to have my valedictory speeches on Senator Furner and Senator Farrell incorporated into Hansard.

Leave granted.

The speeches read as follows—

Senator Mark Furner

Senator Mark Furner was the first Labor candidate in 29 years to win the third Senate spot in Queensland. His was elected to the seat of Queensland in 2007 and his term began on 1 July 2008.

Since this time, Senator Furner has been a member of numerous committees and has had the privilege of chairing the Senate Standing Committee on Regulations and Ordinances.

In 2006 and 2007, Senator Furner was a team captain in the Queensland Cancer Council's Relay for Life, where he was shown recognition for being the highest fund raiser at both events.

As an active member and leader of the community, Senator Furner has been a supporter of the Pine River Men's Shed, an Ambassador for Keep Watch, a member of the UNICEF Parliamentary Association and an advocate for preventing domestic violence against women.

Senator Furner has had the opportunity to visit other countries for conferences, delegations and visits. On 1 October 2013, Senator Furner visited the country of Georgia with National's New South Wales Senator, John Williams, as part of the international contingent of election observers.

On 21 June 2012, there was a rare agreement on the floor of the Australian Senate with the Government and Opposition passing a motion that called for the Government to improve Australia's human rights dialogue with Vietnam. The motion was moved together by National's Queensland Senator, Ron Boswell and Labor Senator, Mark Furner.

Before this was passed, Senator Furner, Senator Boswell and others took to the front lawn of Parliament House where they addressed a crowd of 200 supporters of the petition.

Apart from the different views Senator Furner and I share on Wild Rivers, I know that we share the same values on Indigenous Affairs. I have had the privilege of travelling with Senator Furner to Cherbourg which is an Indigenous community located in QLD for a committee visit.

Senator Furner, On behalf of the National Party, I would like to wish you all the best in your new life and congratulate you on all your achievements as Labor Senator for Queensland.

Senator the Hon. Don Farrell

Senator the Hon. Don Farrell was the first Senate ticket for Labor in the 2007 election, to represent South Australia. He commenced his term on 1 July 2008.

In his 6 years, Senator Farrell has been a member of many committees, the Deputy Government Whip in the Senate and has held portfolio responsibilities for Science and Research, Sports and assisting for Tourism.

He was also appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and Urban Water from September 2010 — March 2013.

Senator Farrell is known to being committed to helping the environment and has a made a commitment to the urban water reform and infrastructure investment. He has expressed on many occasions the impacts that a drought can have on the agriculture industry, rural communities and our major cities.

His commitment to the environment has seen him announce the establishment of a Product Stewardship Advisory Group; Launch the Cooperative Research Centre, launch of the South Australia's National TV and Computer Recycling Scheme, and announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding allowing Australia's participation in Scientific Collections International.

For all your achievements, Senator Farrell, I would like to congratulate you. You have made a huge contribution to not only South Australia, but to the whole country. On behalf of the National Party, good luck and I wish you all the best in your next journey.