Malarndirri McCarthy (NT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Indigenous Australians) | Hansard source

I rise today to remember someone who means so much to me and my families in the Gulf country of Borroloola. I first met Trish when I was a young mum in Borroloola. I remember meeting her in the Working Women's Centre with her dear mate Gillian Harrison, both of whom became very good mates of mine as well. We offer our deep condolences, Mark. I've been thinking a lot about you and your children and your grandchildren. Mel and Amanda and Kate and Paul, your mum loved you all so much. She'd leave on a Thursday from the Senate, get on that plane and make sure she was with you over the weekend. She'd be there at committee meetings over the weekend, dragging one of you or all of you along with her. She'd be holding those meetings too, with our Labor women, forever encouraging and inspiring the next generation, not just her children but so many of us in the Northern Territory who learnt so much from her and were mentored by her.

When I had the opportunity to run for the seat of Arnhem, Trish was there, and we had so many bush trips together. Oh, yes—some of those bush trips! Tomato Island—remember that one? I think the most memorable one was trying to get Trish out to Beswick when the rivers were flooding. She really wanted to get back from the Senate to help and, with a lot of us bush members, try and get out to the communities. Your mum was so determined to come with me, and I was a little bit worried, thinking, 'I don't know; if we get out there, we might get stuck, and you won't be able to get back down to Canberra in time.' She would come up on the Thursday night and fly down on the Sunday night or in the early hours, which is something I've learnt from her, I think—doing that same flight.

When we tried to get out to Beswick, we couldn't get across the Waterhouse River. The community were on the other side, and they were really needing help, and we were on our side trying to work out how we were going to get across. We couldn't wade across; the water had risen too high—no good. Your mum spotted a good old tractor down the road, so we went and looked for a driver. In the next minute we were on that tractor, ploughing through the water, making sure we didn't fall in—there are crocs up there, as we all know. We were determined to get to the other side, and I remember looking at your mum and thinking: who is this woman? For us it was pretty normal to do all sorts of things out bush to just get on with it. I have always admired your mum and love her dearly. I miss her greatly.

When I lost my seat in 2012 it was Trish who rang me first, straightaway, and she came to see me to find out what had happened but also just to check in. We've heard some really beautiful stories here of her humanity, her kindness and her empathy, and I certainly experienced that in that moment. When so many others judged you differently, she made sure she was there to check in and say, 'How are you going?' Four years later, when I had the privilege of getting a seat in the Senate, Trish was there again. One thing I couldn't believe was how she still remembered, even after three years of not being in the Senate herself, every single detail: 'On Monday, Malarndirri, it's 10 am that the Senate opens. You make sure you're there. You have to be there at five minutes to 10. You've got to go in, and, when you go in, you stand there and you do this. And then you can finish at this certain time.' And she knew exactly the time. Then she said: 'There are all these committees. There's the legal and constitutional committee. There's the community affairs committee. You could do that one, but this one over here is also good.' It was just impressive. She had her own handbook. She wanted to show me all these things. I just loved the fact that, no matter what time of night it was, I'd get a text, going, 'If you need someone to talk to, I'm here,' because she'd be watching her favourite channel, the Senate!

I am going to miss her deeply. I think the love that she had from so many people that never knew her and then got to know her and the service that she provided as senator for the Northern Territory—the love that she had for the Yolngu, Gumatj and Rirratjingu and all the families. I was in Nhulunbuy recently, and their big love to all of you will always be there no matter what time of day you get out to Arnhem Land. Your family is deeply respected, Mark, through you and through Trish, and your children and grandchildren. Thank you for your service as well, with Trish, in working for the people of the Northern Territory. I know that the Northern Territory parliament has also provided a condolence motion—rightly so and beautifully so—and now the Senate has too. Know that Trish is deeply missed by us as well. We love her dearly. Yo, bauji barra.