Mr Speaker
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Fourteen and a half years in a job is a long time by anybody’s measure. To be given the honour of representing an electorate in this place is a singular privilege and one which I treasure.
These years have been crammed full of exciting challenges, enormous highs and deep, very deep lows. I have had the privilege of working with some amazing people and also I’ve worked with some whom I would not invite to my home.
I had a nomadic upbringing, never really calling anywhere home, because of my father’s military service. So, for a bloke who came to Australia as a £10 Pom (or since I was only three maybe it was a £5 Pom) to even think I could end my full time working life as a parliamentarian, would have seemed fantasy.
Being elected as the last man standing in 1998 was an interesting time. I recall saying to my campaign manager, Jim Mallett, on election night when we knew I’d won (because I wrote the program to do the predictions, which was enhanced by a young Andrew Barr) – so what do we do now? He didn’t know either.
I reflect every now and then on what it has been like working here and I developed a sort of theory of what it is to be a member of a parliament. In developing the thinking, I came to realize the difference between being a politician and being a parliamentarian. During my stay in this building I have seen each facet of both being played out.
Being an elected politician is just an extension of other forms of politics. We all have been there, on P&C Boards, footy club committees; inter family feuds, survival in the workplace. Being a politician is to advance the cause of the group to which one belongs. One is a delegate for a cause.
A parliamentarian is a servant of the people, a representative not a delegate. Parliamentarians advance the cause of individuals and groups within the community without being connected to them necessarily. Further, a parliamentarian is a servant of the parliament and a courageous parliamentarian will put the parliament above the party or group which helped elect him or her. I don’t know of all that many people who fit this bill. And it is this trait of being a politician before being a parliamentarian which brings the reputation of those in public life down to such a low level.
Most people in our community don’t know what it is we actually do with our time here. They think we only work for 42 days a year and swan around enjoying perks for the rest.
When I was a member of the Opposition, I found out in a hurry what demands there were. In trying to come to grips with being a representative for my electorate, and knowing that technically, I had to provide services for about 12,000 electors, being one of five Members for Brindabella, no-one told me which 12,000 they were, so I had to provide support for the whole electorate. By the time 2001 came around, I had over 3,000 individual constituents on my books, many of whom were repeat visitors. Given that most people don’t have hassles most of the time, 3,000 was an extraordinary number. But this gave me the most satisfaction and joy. Of course not every contact ended in a success and my office took failure really to heart.
During the years 1998 to 2001, I had some incredible people working with me. Narelle Luchetti came on board with Lindy Frampton and we took on the tasks of a shadow minister for five portfolios, the deputy chair of a Standing Committee as well as getting around the electorate. We were joined by Maria Vincent who stayed with me for half my time here. I owe those three a lot.
Life in the Chamber was a hoot. Long nights, passionate debates and good humour exchanged across the floor. Only Simon Corbell and Brendan Smyth were around then to see it. As a member of the Opposition, I found then that the best day in Opposition is indeed nowhere near as good as the worst day in Government. It was hard work, frustrating and rewarding at the same time and a massive learning curve.
Above all though there was an air of professionalism about, something which is sadly missing today. Strength of commitment, passionate debate, a sense of honour and integrity are not synonyms for fanatical zeal and personal destruction. Machiavelli didn’t really get it right when he said the end justifies the means.
Later in the piece, we formed the Labor minority government and Jon Stanhope started his career as the longest serving Chief Minister in Assembly history. I on the other hand had to contend myself with a support role as a member of multiple Standing Committees and the jobs of Whip and what was then known as a Temporary Deputy Speaker. Again, though, my role as a representative for Brindabella kept me very busy and I loved it.
Gotta share with you one of the most amazing stories of that time. There was some discontent around about the building of the GDE, in particular about the work affecting O’Connor Ridge. There was a group of agitators called “Save the Ridge” and on one occasion they burst into the Chamber chanting “Save the Ridge, Save the Ridge”. I was in the Hansard box with Ray Blundell that day and saw the attendants quickly escort the demonstrators out of the Chamber. Ray said in his laconic fashion, looking down at the small refrigerator to his left – “what’s this Save the Fridge bit all about? It’s OK”. Broke me up!
I was lucky to be part of a government bent on reform. And so it was. The Human Rights Act stands out over everything else. I was keen to see our own prison emerge and it did. The standing committees I was on did some great work. Jane Carmody-Neilsen was amazing as the secretary to the committee I chaired and we did some courageous stuff.
As luck would have it, 2004 rolled around and I got over a quota at that election. I was also lucky to get a guernsey in the Cabinet. And so began the rollercoaster ride of the century. Only Brendan on that side of the House can know the highs and the lows of a ministerial job.
My highs were in reform. Being part of the reforms in public housing, being part of the emerging corrections system, empowering our multicultural communities, getting more police out into the community itself, meeting amazing people, like the current PM, the Queen, Audrey Fagan, the then Chinese Ambassador Madame Fu Ying, Lara Giddings and Katy Gallagher (while I had known Katy since 2001, I watched as she blossomed into the leader she is today).
I was lucky enough to sit on ministerial councils which had only Labor ministers on it. Bliss!
Another quick story. When I went to Canada to represent the Chief Minister, Mike Rann told the story of Gough Whitlam asking Mao Zedong what would have happened if it had been Nikita Khrushchev assassinated and not John Kennedy. The Chairman thought for a little while and replied, “I don’t think Aristotle Onassis would have married Mrs Khrushchev”.
Of the low times, one of them was having a heart attack in 2008 and carrying a big black dog around for a year. Beware the shadow of the dog! It roams around these hallowed halls looking for a victim. We have seen quite a few of us become members of that club.
Also, stop to think from time to time whether you are delivering a black dog to your opponents for short term political gain. Nothing to be proud of!
The current Assembly has been an interesting time for me. I have been lucky enough to leave the ministry at a time of my own choosing, as well as leaving parliamentary life at a time of my choosing. People can say what they like but I know that the choices I have made have been mine and mine alone.
I need to take up a bit of time to thank some people who have been on this rollercoaster journey with me over the years. They fall into 4 broad groups. My Assembly parliamentary colleagues, my friends in the Assembly, my staff both political and DLO, and my family and close friends.
I have had the good fortune to work with some great colleagues. Whilst I disagreed with Jon on many issues, it was always a contest of ideas and whose were the best for Canberra. They were intense times and I would do it all again. Katy brings a completely different style to the Cabinet, one of consensus and the exploitation of the wide skills base in the Cabinet. I saw Andrew’s potential as a fresh faced young bloke and have seen his rise to prominence. Joy and Chris are still in a sense newbies but learning at a great rate and Joy has repaid all my faith in her tenfold. But the one who has a special place is the Father of the House.
Simon has been there all of my parliamentary life and we have been a great support for each other. I have been a bit rough at times but Simon has always been the unflappable, firm but gentle and considered leader that we know he is. A great counterpoint to my own style.
But Mary Porter holds a special place in my heart. During all of my low times, she has been a strength. She has been my mate.
I do also need to say thanks for their company and contributions to Ted Quinlan, Karin Macdonald and Mick Gentleman.
I have had some good friends over the years from those opposite and the cross bench. The late Trevor Kaine was a great friend and I learnt a great deal from him. We enjoyed each other’s company. Greg Cornwell, Bill Stefaniak and Harold Hird were and are good friends. They were not self-obsessed zealots but were professional and warm human beings. I got to respect and admire very much Kerrie Tucker whose quiet but firm resolve was good to see. I see a bit of her in Meredith.
I have always seen part of my job here to relieve the tension by cracking jokes and lowering the temperature at times. It was sad to see the Liberals’ attack on me see an end to this service to the House. The House is the poorer for the lack of a circuit breaker.
My friends on the cross bench have always given me sources for amusement but I do need to say how much they have by their presence here, tried to enhance the image of the parliament, reduce the reputation for school yard brawling to a small measure of success. I wish them well in the future.
When I got here I found the rigid protocols of decorum a bit hard to take. I hated the Mr Hargreaves tag and had a difficult time convincing Mark McRae to call me John. Didn’t ever happen. I have achieved a fair bit in this regard though. To be addressed as Johno by all and sundry has given me such pleasure over the years.
Mr Speaker, this place would not work without the support staff which for the most part is invisible. It is a smart Member who listens to the advice of the support staff and learns lessons for later.
I was taught by experts. Tom Duncan, Max Kiermaier, Janice Rafferty, Celeste Italiano, Anne Shannon, Ian Duckworth, Sandra Viney, Laurel Coyles are some of the faces which come instantly to mind. There are heaps of others over the years and I thank you all so very much.
The guys in Corporate and Executive Support, Services, and in the Library (a special g’day to my favourite in the Library, Karen Franklin) have been fantastic as have those in the Education section, Hansard and IT support but with respect to you all, the group who have saved my sanity on many an occasion has been the attendants. What a relationship I have had with this eclectic bunch.
Over the years there have been some characters. Some members here will remember Reg Walters and Peter Litchfield, but the current crop are a great bunch of people with senses of humour only a mother could love.
Dick Stalker, Gai Waterhouse’s unrecognised son, Rod, Peter, Paul, Lainie, Denis “I’m a closet Collingwood supporter” Axelby, Andrew and Sam all give it to me when I come to work and I return fire. You gotta love them, don’t you?
Where would we be without the techos and maintenance guys, like Ray, scourge of the seas, Blundell, Rick, ”tricky dicky”, Hart, and before him, Barry Schilg?
The work of parliamentarians is one of cerebral challenge. We consider all manner of issues and submit all manner of reports, but we do so on the back of the real workers in the committee system. I need to pay special credit to the committee secretaries that I have served with over the years. I have served with so many brilliant and capable people over the years and to single some out would be to forget others. But I do need to single out Andrea Cullen and Jane Neilsen, two secretaries who have epitomised the supportive role so demonstrably. To all others, thanks and if time permitted me, I would name you all.
However, one of the passions I developed was for the role of Scrutiny Committees and believe that I may be the longest serving Deputy Chair of the Assembly’s Committee. In all of that time, I have had the pleasure of the guidance of Peter Bayne, whose dedication to this subject is legendary. We also had the service of Stephen Argument. Both of these gentlemen are recognised world leaders in the subject of legislative and subordinate legislative scrutiny. They taught me heaps.
Mr Speaker, I have been blessed to be able to work with some pretty amazing people. When I was a minister, I had a number of DLO’s without whose professionalism, we would not have been able to do anywhere near the things we did. They were all characters in their own right but real professionals. I salute my DLOs and apologise if I haven’t included all your names. Each one has a special place in my heart. Ashley King, Geoff Virtue, and Lee-Anne Warren, Paul Udovisi and Emma Taber, Matthew Clissold, Maria Mangeruca and Keith Ward and David Jones. I know there are others.
Can I say also, Mr Speaker that ministers depend on their departmental leaders. I had such great support from Sandra Lambert, Martin Hehir, Maureen Sheehan, Lois Ford, Ian (go the Pies) Hubbard, David Collett, Mike Zissler, Gary Biles, Hamish McNulty, Tony Gill, Audrey Fagan, Nic Manikis, Angela Parker and a myriad of fantastic professional officers – I hate the name public servant. I was an officer of the public service and servant to no-one.
Lastly, Mr Speaker I need to thank a group of people who have been my mainstay. My friends and my family. Jim Mallett was my campaign manager in 1998 and has been with me in one form or another for all of my political life. I worked with my good friend Ian McNeill for over 30 years and value his friendship immensely. We three, grumpy old men are a formidable bunch and damn fine chefs.
During my time as minister for various things, I had an exceptional group of staff. My chiefs of staff were Andrew Barr, Geoff Gosling and Mark Kulasingham. My media advisers, whose job it was to control a larrikin like me were Liz Lopa, Caitlin Bessell, and my very good friend, Kim Fischer, who has been in all the highs and lows with me. An impossible task they had but they did a great job. My advisers and minders included Jennie Mardel, Stacey Pegg, Andrea Walker and Nelson Mendonca. Mr Speaker, you will notice that I did not have a lot of staff over my time here but I had the best. Professionalism, persistence and patience. Dealing with me was not a walk in the park, but they were magnificent. Canberra owes them a lot.
I also owe a debt of gratitude to my Labor Party mates. I have spent all my political life in the Lanyon Sub-Branch of the Party and my colleagues there and in the Tuggeranong Sub-Branch have been great supporters. People like Mark and Lizzie O’Neill, Lindsay Burge, Vic Rebikoff, Marco Spaccavento, Karl Maftoum, Jon and Keith Crowley, Shaun and Bill Haidon, and Winston Hopman to mention just a few. Other friends in the Party who have been such a big part of my life include Chris Sant, Natasha Shahidullah, Ian De Landelles, Paul Whalan, Stephen Bounds and Eva Cawthorne and Charles Njora, also mentioning only a few.
My family, Mr Speaker, have always been in my corner. My brothers and sisters and their wives and husbands, Jim, Judy, Jill and Jeff, Meg, Dave, Dave and Rachel, their kids and their kids’ kids have always been there when Uncle Johno has needed them and I love them all.
My late parents would have marvelled that I could have kept down a job as long as this. My father gave me a sense of the ridiculous. He was a liberal of course and thus an expert on the ridiculous and my mother gave me my compassion. That was and is a powerful mix.
My daughters, Tracey and Amanda, their husbands John and Jason, my granddaughter Jessica, my grandsons Johnathon, Benjamen and Andrew are my joy and I am so blessed to have them.
There is, though, one person I need to put up in lights. She has seen me through the most amazing journey a man could go through. She was there before politics was even a thought, she was there when I ran the first time, she was there when I stuffed things up big time and she was there when I went that extra mile to do the things I believed in. We have been married for thirty years and I have spent half of it as a member in this place. We have grown together. To my wife Jenny, I owe my sanity, my sense of self belief, my grounding. She has shared my laughter and my tears.
Were it not for Jenny, I would have quit this place long ago, so you can all blame her.
Mr Speaker, I leave this place thankful that I was here, thankful to have had an opportunity to do some good things and thankful to have been surrounded by so many good people.
I would like to leave you with something which has guided me in my life. It is a
Quatrain from my favourite poet, Omar Khayyaim which reads:
The Moving Finger writes; and, having writ,
Moves on: nor all thy Piety nor Wit,
Shall lure it back to cancel half a Line,
Nor all thy Tears wash out a Word of it.
Finally, au revoir, mes amis, Puissiez-vous tous eu le succès que vous méritez dans l'élection, peut vous appréciez l'amour de vos familles, et puissiez-vous être dans le ciel une demi-heure avant que le diable sait que vous êtes mort.
(May you all have the success you deserve in the election, may you enjoy the love of your families, and may you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead !)
Thanks