Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Hansard source

Senators, as many of you will know, shortly after the Senate rose last year our Deputy Clerk, Maureen Weeks, announced her intention to retire. It was perhaps her intention to slip away without fanfare at a time of her own choosing, but I thought it important that the Senate should formally record its gratitude for her many years of expert advice, guidance and support.

Maureen led the Senate's Committee Office, Table Office and Procedure Office before her appointment as Deputy Clerk three years ago. She had long experience as secretary to numerous parliamentary committees, culminating in her recent stint as Secretary of the Senate Privileges Committee. She was also Deputy Clerk of the ACT Legislative Assembly, having joined the assembly secretariat at its inception.

Maureen is held in high esteem by senators and staff alike and by her colleagues past and present. In retiring she departs with almost four decades of exemplary service to two parliaments, a rare and valuable contribution to the nation's public life. She has been a tutor, a mentor and an inspiration to scores of Senate staff, undertaking her myriad duties with good grace, great humour and aplomb. Maureen has now embarked on a period of leave pending her retirement, and I know you will join me in thanking her for her years of dedicated service to the Senate and the parliament.

I'm also pleased to inform the Senate that, after a highly competitive selection process, Clerk Assistant (Procedure) Jackie Morris will become the new Deputy Clerk of the Senate. The competitive nature of the process only goes to underscore the very high calibre of the staff who support the work of all of us here in the Senate. Jackie has a long record of achievement in committee and procedural roles, and I know senators will join me in congratulating her on her promotion.