Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Nationals, I rise to pay tribute to former senator John Watson, who served the state of Tasmania valiantly for an extraordinary 30 years. John became Father of the Senate in 2005 until his departure from politics in 2008 and was succeeded by our own dear former senator Ron Boswell. Senator Watson was, in tandem with former fellow Tasmanian Labor senator Nick Sherry, an expert without peer in superannuation policy in this parliament. Senator Watson's contribution to Australia's superannuation system, as a coalition MP, was very important. How much of the super system we all benefit from today was through Senator Watson's hard work and participation in countless inquiries, committees, speeches and advocacy, mostly as a backbencher, should never be underestimated. That's been expanded on by my colleagues.

Senator Watson persuaded the coalition, despite considerable opposition from sections of the Liberal Party, that compulsory saving for your retirement was a good idea. We all owe him a deep gratitude for his vision and hard work. To Senator Watson's wife, Jocelyn, and his family, some of whom are in the chamber today, I offer my party's deep condolences, Vale, John Odin Wentworth Watson.