Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Leave granted.

I would like to associate myself and the opposition with Senator Abetz's good wishes and goodwill for a safe and happy Christmas to all in Australia.

I would also like to thank the President, Senator Parry, who is approaching six months in the role. The role of the President is challenging but is one that is essential to the operation of the chamber. We appreciate your good humour in conducting the role—

Opposition senators interjecting—

especially today! We congratulate the Deputy President, Senator Marshall, on his election and thank him for his role in the chair in fulfilling the responsibilities that fall to the Deputy President. He is of course known for his sense of humour. To the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Abetz, it has not been an easy year for the government; he continues to be a worthy adversary in the chamber, and we wish him a very happy Christmas.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate is unfortunately not present as she is attending a meeting of the Australia Indonesia Business Council; we thank her for her work during the year. To the other leaders of parties and independent senators, while I am sure we have all enjoyed each other's company over the past year—or six months for the newer ones—I am sure we would agree that a break from each other is a good thing! Unlike some of you, I have not been on the receiving end of Christopher Pyne's Christmas SMSs—

An honourable senator: There is still time!

There is still time. We can all share the joy, Senator Lazarus.

To the Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate, Senator Moore, and her staff, particularly Clare Nairn: a hard job done superbly, and always keeping ministers relevant at question time. To the Opposition Whip, Senator McEwen, and staff of the whip's office and the deputy opposition whips, Senator Bilyk and Senator Urquhart, no-one would deny that the whips and their staff are among the hardest working people in this place. They above all others deserve the coming break.

To the Clerk, Rosemary Laing; the Deputy Clerk, Richard Pye; the Clerk Assistant, Brien Hallett; the Clerk Assistant (Table), Chris Reid; the Clerk Assistant (Procedure), Maureen Weeks; the Usher of the Black Rod, Rachel Callinan; and all the staff of the Department of the Senate, the Clerk leads an outstanding team. We are exceptionally well served by the Department of the Senate, whether it be in chamber management, procedural advice, services to senators, committee support or in other ways.

Thanks of course to the Department of Parliamentary Services, especially the Parliamentary Library, the Parliamentary Budget Office, Hansard, security, maintenance and ancillary staff that do so much to ensure the smooth running of Parliament House.

To the Labor Senate team, I want to thank my colleagues for their efforts this year, particularly the Senate team post 1 July. Our team has both advanced Labor's agenda and held the government to account. I wish you all a happy and safe break and look forward to seeing you all in the new year. To the staff of Labor senators, many staff are coming to the end of their first year or part thereof in opposition. I want to thank all of them, but particularly those who signed up to serve the new opposition. In all things we do, we rely on the assistance and counsel of our staff, and I thank them for their service on behalf of all the Labor senators.

Let me conclude by thanking all those Labor members and supporters throughout Australia who continue to maintain their rage and enthusiasm. Merry Christmas to all and have a great break.