Evans, Hon. I.F.

Mr GOLDSWORTHY (Kavel) (15:19): I make this speech this afternoon with some really mixed emotions, not only with some sadness but also with a sense of being pleased for the member for Davenport. I say that because the member for Davenport has been able to choose the time of his retirement from this place. That is something not everybody who has served in this parliament has been able to do. In that respect, the member for Davenport has been able to choose the time of his retirement for him to move on, together with his family, into the next phase of his life.

The member for Davenport should be very proud of and pleased with his achievements spanning the 21 years of his service in the parliament. Not only has he been a shadow minister, a minister, a deputy leader and a leader, but he has also been an exceptional local member. The 21 years the member for Davenport has served here, we know, have not always been easy for him. There have been the turbulent years in the 1990s of the Liberal government when he became a minister in that decade, but we do know that he has raised and succeeded with many issues he has brought to the parliament.

One thing I think it is important to highlight is, I believe, and I think many would agree, that the member for Davenport has one of the best political minds we have ever had in this place, and that has really equated to being an outstanding strategist. I recall quite clearly early in my first term here that the member for Davenport was then the shadow minister for the environment, and he was pretty good. He worked along a process and he corralled the then minister for the environment into a situation where a privileges committee was established to investigate the issue of whether the minister for the environment had actually misled the house. That committee deliberated and it was dealt with in due course. We have seen many examples of the member for Davenport's strategies coming to the fore in this place.

At a personal level—and I will refer to the member for Davenport by his Christian name—Iain has been a very good friend to me. He has provided full and frank advice, whether or not I have sought it. There have been times when I have had the door opened and then the door has been shut and I sort of copped it a bit, but not very often. His motivation in giving me that advice was only really to provide some very strong support to me in my pursuit as a member of parliament. I have always appreciated that. I can truthfully say I have always appreciated his friendship, advice and support. His family has also been very strong supporters of mine, particularly in the period leading up to my being elected to this place, and I certainly have never forgotten that and, again, always appreciated that.

The member for Davenport, when he was leader of the opposition, promoted me into the shadow ministry after the 2006 election. Again, I certainly appreciated that opportunity being given to me. I know I am running out of time and I do not have time to put in Hansard everything that I want to say, but he has been, and will continue to be, a person of strong conviction, loyalty, integrity and honesty, and it has been a privilege to work with him as the member for Davenport, and I would like to think I have earnt his respect and friendship. I wish him, his wife, Fiona, and all his family here with us today all the very best for the future.