Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service) | Hansard source

I just want to take the opportunity to put a few comments on the record, too, and I don't want to take time from other colleagues who might want to speak. I want to associate myself with the other contributions made already. I think, Senator Birmingham, you can hear from the genuineness and some sadness in the contributions on seeing you go just how highly regarded you are in this Senate and across the chamber more broadly. I thought it was a wonderful valedictory speech, with lessons in there for all of us to think about—and the fact that we will all think about it is because we respect your views so much.

It's obviously been an incredible career here, but I've learnt, through painful reference to section 44, there is life outside this place, and it's a great life. It's hard when you're in the hustle and bustle of politics to understand that there are more normal jobs, at times less demanding and less public and just as rewarding. I know, from your service to the country, that you will keep contributing to the fabric of our nation; I have no doubt.

I took over from you as Minister for Finance at the change of government. I know the Public Service—I know Rosemary's here, or she was here earlier—never reflect on previous occupants of the job, but it was clear, through all my dealings, what a great department, in good leadership and in safe hands, it had been under your stewardship and how highly regarded you were by that department. I was the beneficiary of your hard work in that respect.

I associate myself with the contributions that have been made tonight. I think the words 'intelligence', 'integrity', 'confidence'—people can speak to you in confidence and have that confidence kept, and that isn't always the way. It's a highly undervalued part of the jobs that we do, and so when you find that with someone you treasure it.

The calmness—I must say that, at different estimates, I did try to ruffle that calmness, unsuccessfully! I thought, 'What do you have to do to get under this guy's skin?' I never, ever got there. Fundamentally, you are an incredibly decent person, and I think, if you can serve 17 years in this place in public life and have all those characteristics reflected in this chamber, you've done what many others haven't been able to achieve.

We won't miss you as campaign spokesperson; we do see the opportunities there, I have to say! But we know that you will be watching the campaign. I say all these nice things, and I know it won't reflect on you badly now because you're leaving, but you've never given up your liberal cause; you are a fighter and warrior for that. To balance that and your ability to be universally liked across this chamber is something that's hard to achieve as well.

Our dealings with your office, again, reflect so highly—I hear all the time in this parliament that the staff in your office are highly regarded, and that reflects on your leadership as well. We have a little thing in my office where if Birmo's on the floor so am I. We were always trying to stay one step ahead of you, so we'll have to change that now to 'Cash alert', I think, subject to those processes.

Simon, I was sad to hear the news, but I completely understand that this is a good decision for you, Courtney, Tilly and Amelia. I wish you all the best. It's been an honour and a privilege to serve alongside you, and I look forward to seeing what you achieve next.