John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I take the opportunity at the end of the 2009 sittings to thank, firstly, the Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans, the longest serving Clerk of the Senate. I would like to acknowledge his unquestionable commitment to the Senate, which we have all benefited from. Thanks to the Deputy Clerk, whom we welcome into the position of Clerk. Thanks also to the other clerks at the table for their support and advice. Thanks to all senators, including the Deputy President and Chair of Committees, Senator the Hon. Alan Ferguson; the temporary chairs, who run this chamber on a daily basis; and the Usher of the Black Rod, the Deputy Usher of the Black Rod and the Black Rod staff.

Thanks to the chamber support staff, in particular the attendants and the mail attendants. Thanks to the Table Office and the procedure office. They all provide efficient and professional support to make for the smooth running of the Senate. I thank the staff of the committee office, who consistently produce substantial and timely reports; all other Department of the Senate staff, including Senate IT and Senate printing; the Department of Parliamentary Services, led by Alan Thompson, including the landscape staff, Art Services, Facilities Management, guide service, client services, IT, broadcasting and Hansard; the Parliamentary Library under the direction of Parliamentary Librarian Roxanne Missingham; the Parliamentary Relations Office; and the Parliamentary Education Office, who this year in this building taught over 90,000 young Australians about our parliament.

I also thank those who work in security and for protective services at Parliament House, in particular Superintendent Mark Andrews, Protective Security Controller at Parliament House, who will be retiring after five years of service in that position. Thanks to Health and Recreation Centre staff; the Speaker and his staff; staff of my private office, including those in Queensland; and all other people who work in Parliament House and in electorate offices right around Australia. Finally, I extend my best wishes to all 2009 staff and colleagues, including those who have retired or who are retiring soon, and I say thank you. I thank the Senate.