Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Hansard source

Senators, as some of you may be aware, today marks the last occasion on which the Senate attendants team will be led by chief Senate attendant John Brown. John joined the Senate department in 2005, after working as a parliamentary security guard from 2001. Prior to working for the parliament, John served in the Royal Navy and then in the Royal Australian Navy. In 2001, John received a Medal of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday honours list for his meritorious service to the Australian Defence Force.

Since 2005, John has served five Senate presidents—Paul Calvert, Alan Ferguson, John Hogg, Stephen Parry and me—and three clerks of the Senate, in Harry Evans, Rosemary Laing and Richard Pye, as well as five ushers of the Black Rod. John has also been present for five openings of the parliament and the initial swearing in of three governors-general and 112 senators.

All of us have firsthand experience of John's enthusiasm and dedication to his role and his leadership of the attendants team. Whether being especially welcoming to new senators, preparing the chamber flags, ringing the bells to commence the day, locking the doors for divisions or launching chamber documents through the pneumatic tubes, John has performed his role with pride and to the highest possible standards. I am sure that all senators will join me in thanking John for his outstanding service to the Senate and wishing him a long and leisurely retirement.

Honourable senators: Hear, hear!