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Legislative Council - Fifty-Third Parliament, First Session (53-1)
2014-12-04 Daily Xml
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Adjournment Debate

Valedictories

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (17:26): As another busy parliamentary year draws to a close, I would like to, once again, acknowledge the very hard work and commitment of parliamentary members and staff. I am very pleased to say that 32 government bills have been passed by this council and I think 30-odd by the other house. In addition, some 21 private members' bills have been tabled and only one government bill defeated.

As the elected representative of the public of South Australia, we are charged with managing and amending legislation that reflects the needs and desires of all South Australians. I know that members in this place take that responsibility very seriously. Many voices and opinions have been aired and listened to, discussed and debated. Throughout it all the parliamentary staff have worked assiduously and have continued to support all elected members in these endeavours. Members on the floor of the chamber owe a great deal to that hard work and the superb parliamentary team that we have around us.

The guidance and, yes, sir, the wisdom through the upholding of the standing orders through you, Mr President, the Clerk and, of course, the Black Rod has been of great assistance to members and made our task as legislators able to stand the test of time through ensuring that we adhere to proper processes that are constitutionally sound. The whips, the table staff, the messengers, Hansard staff all undertake their roles with a great deal of efficiency and diligence and have provided us with tremendous support in our role as legislators.

The prompt and courteous service from the chamber attendants is also appreciated. Parliamentary counsel have played their usual important and vital role in supporting our work here in the Legislative Council, with their technical expertise, efficiency and impartiality of work critical to our role as legislators. I also want to make special mention of the catering staff, who always provide us with excellent food in the Blue Room, at parliamentary events and also in the dining rooms. To the office staff, library staff and building staff, everyone who works in this place, thank you for your support, hard work and endeavours.

On behalf of all members, I would like to acknowledge and thank their staff, who spend so many long hours in here at times. It can be very intense, stressful and very challenging at times. We also benefit month in, month out from the excellent work of agency officers and, of course, ministerial staffers. I would like to convey a very big thank you to my own staff whose support, diligence, commitment and great sense of humour in the way they go about their work certainly enables me to do my job well. I am sure we all derive a great deal of pleasure; I certainly do. They tirelessly rise to the challenge of supporting me every day, and many nights as well, and I hope they know how much I appreciate that.

I cannot close without honouring the career of Jan Davis, the Clerk of the Legislative Council, who is about to mark her 50 years of service here in Parliament House. Those of us who have been elected for a number of terms realise that Jan's career is truly impressive. It is a feat of her fabulous dedication and sheer stamina.

Whilst on this theme, another significant historic milestone this year is the 120th anniversary of women's suffrage in this state. That historic legislation marks one of the defining characteristics of our state, the opening of equity, rights and opportunity to all people in our state to allow us all to be full participants in society. In that sense, the women's suffrage legislation underpins our fundamental values, which is a very worthy point to consider when we gather again next year to create legislation that will define South Australia's future.

Finally, congratulations and thank you to all my parliamentary colleagues for another year of service. The hours have been long at times. As the debates have gone on we have seen some very heated and strongly worded exchanges on all views, but we have also seen a high level of tolerance and respect at times. This is the nature of the democratic process and we mostly accept it all in good grace. In the long run, however, we remain united by a very common goal: serving the South Australian community. It is my hope that all members and parliamentary staff will be able to enjoy some time off with their family and friends over the Christmas and New Year break. All the best to everyone for a very safe and enjoyable festive season.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (17:32): I rise to endorse the comments made by the Leader of the Government in thanking all those who serve in this great establishment, the Parliament of South Australia. All those who support us, from the security guards who monitor us when we come in right through to Jan with her 50 years of service, thank you. It is important that we acknowledge all those who help us perform our duties: the catering staff, the table staff, Hansard and parliamentary counsel. We could not function as a parliament without them. Certainly parliamentary counsel and the table staff and some other staff here make the opposition's task a little easier.

We have significantly fewer resources than obviously the government ministers. We could not function as an opposition—and I think probably the minor parties are the same—without the support from the likes of parliamentary counsel and other staff in this place. They assist us in doing our job of holding the government to account and moving private members bills and motions. It is important that we have that level of support.

As the minister acknowledged, I think it is important that we acknowledge the service that we all bring to this place as well. At the end of this calendar year, I guess the Liberal Party would say that we probably did not have quite the start we would have liked. We have a by-election coming up in a couple of days and it may well be that we have a good end to a bad year, or a bad end to a bad year. We will know in a few days. Nonetheless, we as a group here actually do have a reasonable level of respect.

I remember the Hon. Angus Redford, when I was elected, saying, 'You can't be too harsh on them, there's only 22 of us and we have to work together'. While we might be a bit robust and aggressive at times in here, we do have a reasonable level of respect for each other and work reasonably cooperatively together.

Finally, I would like to put on the record (and maybe one or two of my colleagues may speak as well) reference to Jan Davis's service of almost 50 years. I am sure 50 years ago she was excited and a little fearful of what lay ahead. I remember that I was starting kindergarten at about that time 50 years ago, and I was certainly a little bit excited and a little bit fearful of what I might encounter at kindergarten. I remember the first day at kindy and the first day at school.

The Hon. T.J. Stephens interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Yes, I started when I was one, thank you Terry. It puts into perspective the long service that Jan has given this parliament, the Legislative Council and the state of South Australia and it is a privilege to have worked with her. When I was first elected Caroline Schaefer told me, 'If you ever have any problems understanding standing orders or any procedural stuff, go and see Jan; she is a wealth of knowledge and she is a great support to all elected members,' and I was only thinking of Caroline's words yesterday, when we had the function up in the Balcony Room, about the support that she said Jan would provide to all of us.

So, Jan, with those few words, I thank you on behalf of all of us. It is 50 years in one place of employment, having worked your way through the various levels of service, and to still be here and highly regarded and respected by all the people who have served in this chamber. I wish you a merry and happy Christmas, and all other members in the chamber as well.

The Hon. M.C. PARNELL (17:36): On behalf of the Greens I echo and endorse the comments of the Leader of the Government and Leader of the Opposition. All the people they have acknowledged and thanked I would like to acknowledge and thank as well, and also to particularly add our congratulations to the Clerk, Jan Davis, on 50 years of service. I recall when my father retired from the same company that he started his apprenticeship with as a 17 year old: he did not get to 50 years, but he had gold watches up both arms. It was called loyalty in those days, and it is a remarkable record of service that Jan has been loyal to this institution of democracy for all these years, so, on behalf of the Greens, thank you.

The Hon. B.V. FINNIGAN (17:37): Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night. My thanks and acknowledgment to all the staff who assist to keep parliament running. It is certainly worth noting the extraordinary contribution of Mrs Jan Davis, Member of the Order of Australia, to parliamentary democracy and to the Legislative Council. For those of us who are under 50, it is a bit of a scary thought to think that for our entire lives Jan has been working here at parliament. To put up with parliamentarians for 50 years is a very significant achievement indeed. So, I would just like to place on the record my thanks and acknowledgment of her service, and best wishes for the future, not that she is going anywhere, I don't think. I extend to all honourable members, their families and friends a blessed and happy Christmas.

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT (17:38): Very briefly, on behalf of Dignity for Disability, I extend my thanks to all the people who have supported the party and myself throughout the year, the chamber staff, all of you, and especially, of course, Jan Davis, again celebrating her 50 years in this place. I do not want to labour the point too strongly, but that is just under two of my entire lifetimes.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: No, I am saying that in a good way, I am not trying to rub it in. Work with me here, I am trying to be festive! I would like to not only pay tribute to Jan's extreme loyalty, breadth of knowledge and dedicated service but also to the fact that she has not gone down without a fight in this place. Jan has been an amazing example of the strength of a woman, a young woman in particular, when she first came into this place.

I think my favourite example of that was when she took this job and she was told not to get engaged for—what was it, five years? And you did anyway, Jan. You were afraid of revealing that fact, but you marched into this place with your engagement ring proudly displayed on your finger and you rolled with the punches. From then on, you have become stronger and stronger by the day, it seems. We certainly congratulate you yet again on that amazing achievement over the last 50 years.

To all our members and supporters, a big thank you for enabling us to continue what we do. To my staff: Anna, Cathi, David and Sana, who has recently joined us; and of course, my thanks go on the record to my previous trainee, Lesley Gable, who recently left us, and we wish her all the best. This has been a year of significant achievement for Dignity for Disability, particularly, I think, in the areas of disability justice and making the voting system and democracy more accessible to people with disabilities.

Obviously we have faced some disappointments. I think one key example has been the government's lack of recognition of the need for more support for people with borderline personality disorder diagnoses. This is an issue that existed long before I started fighting for it in this place, and it will continue to exist, so we will continue to fight for adequate services and support for those people currently going without it.

Of course, the unmet needs list remains a significant area of concern. These are people waiting for basic services and basic supports that they need to get on with their lives, perhaps even to leave the house or to avoid being homeless or at risk of harm to themselves or to others. This is something I say not to drag down the tone of the speech, but just to remind ourselves that we do have a lot of work to get done when we come back. I, for one, look forward to doing that work.

The last point I would like to make is just a personal thank you to those members who have supported me and my family, particularly through the death of my mother-in-law, Rita, earlier this year. I know that I myself and my family and my partner, Nick, are particularly grateful for the respect and support that were shown to us at that difficult time. Having acknowledged that, though, I do have some happy news, in that as soon as I finish this speech and go to one more function, I get to go to hospital to meet my new nephew.

The Hon. S.G. Wade: Name him!

The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: He doesn't have a name yet! As soon as he does, I will let you know. It is a bittersweet day for us in the family. Thank you all for your support throughout that issue as well. Again, thanks to all the chamber staff: Mario, Anthony, Todd, Jan in particular, Guy, Leslie, Karen, Chris, and especially Mario, who brings me lots of water and makes sure that I am always well hydrated for all those lengthy speeches and long nights. I do not think I have ever in fact finished a glass of water in this place; it never gets below halfway point before Mario jumps in there. Thank you to you all, both professionally and personally, for the support that you have given me throughout the year.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (17:43): Just a few words from me. I think I am the last speaker before you, sir, so I will be very brief. I just wanted to take the opportunity to wish everyone in the chamber a really peaceful, relaxing and enjoyable Christmas. We have worked pretty hard this year. For me personally it has been an interesting year. I have been really ill, as most of you know. I am coming out of that now, hopefully, and I just want to thank everyone for their support. I have had a lot of encouragement from people here. People have been understanding in terms of pairs and the like, so I really appreciate that. Thank you.

I also acknowledge Jan. Jan, what an amazing achievement! Fifty years in this place is extraordinary. I am absolutely in awe of that. I really cannot believe that anyone could do it to be honest. Congratulations. It is extraordinary, and you deserve every accolade you have enjoyed over the past couple of weeks.

I also thank you, Mr President. I personally endorse your fairly strict chamber rules. I have had three presidents since I have been in this chamber and I think you have taken quite a tough line on interjections and the like, and it is one that I personally endorse. Unfortunately, the nature of the adversarial system is that it creates tension in parliament. It creates the willingness for people to say their piece and it can reflect badly on us all at times. We need to keep that in check and remember that we are being watched and listened to and that this place is held in the esteem reflected by our behaviour. If our behaviour is good, it will be held in good esteem by and large. I thank you for that, sir.

I would also like very quickly to thank all of the staff. I think you have already been mentioned, but thank you, this place does not work without you. Obviously, Rob, my colleague, has been a real support to me and is a terrific guy, all the staff in our offices as well. Drinks are in the Hon. John Darley's office any minute now, so I think I am getting a little thirsty, sir.

The PRESIDENT (17:46): First of all I would like to endorse and agree with all the sentiments expressed by the various contributors here today about the chamber staff and our committee staff and, in particular, the contribution by the Hon. Mr Hood regarding the President. I endorse that very much.

I think we need to home in now on an extraordinary contribution played over the last 50 years by Jan Davis. Jan started as a junior clerk in 1964, she has gone up the ladder and very often under adversarial circumstances. Being a woman in this place 50 years ago would have been a very difficult job, especially when it was expected than when you were married you had to leave the parliament.

Jan should be a beacon of light to those women who want to progress through life and make a career for themselves. I, as President, rely quite a bit on Jan. I think I made this statement the other day: if I was given a choice between relying on the advice of a barrister in Adelaide or Jan Davis in regard to the process of the parliament, I would choose Jan every time.

I want to go through some of the extraordinary achievements of Jan. As I said, she started as a junior clerk in the Legislative Council in December 1964. She was then appointed to the position of Parliamentary Officer in 1973 where she acted as Secretary to numerous committees.

In 1978 Jan was appointed to the position of Second Clerk-Assistant which required attendance in the chamber. In 1979 Jan was appointed Clerk-Assistant and Usher of the Black Rod. The original title of the Black Rod was 'Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod' and, upon Jan's appointment, the word 'gentleman' was dropped. Jan was appointed as Clerk in this council in 1992. She was the first ever woman appointed to the position in any Australian parliament, which I think is an amazing feat.

Jan's distinguished career and service was recognised in 2008 when she was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her services to this parliament. I notice this, as President: all the people who work under Jan seem to be very happy. You look at the length of service of many of the people who work here—Margaret, who has been here for 40 years; Chris Schwarz, who has been here for 30 years; Todd Mesecke, who has been here for 20 years. Obviously, Jan is a very easy person to work under, and I think it is a great tribute to Jan in the way she treats her staff.

I want to read out some statistics to put in perspective the length of time that Jan has been here. In her 50 years, Jan has seen the introduction of 5,757 bills into the Legislative Council, the passage of 4,380 acts and 14,602 hours of sitting. In Jan's time, she has also seen the comings and goings of 217 members of the House of Assembly, 96 members of the Legislative Council, 18 speakers, 14 premiers, 12 presidents (hopefully this figure will stay for a few years), and 11 governors, but only four clerks other than her.

So, it is an amazing achievement, Jan, and from the bottom of my heart I do appreciate the trailblazing career that you have had. I know there are a number of people who want to give their tributes to you, Jan, and we would then like to hear a few words from yourself.

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (17:50): I would like to acknowledge 50 years of service. Like senior civil servants, which is probably the title Jan might have held, elected members come and go, but the Clerk prevails. There have been some comments made about 50 years of service. I would just like to say that Jan, still being a keen skier and so spritely, must have entered service in this place at the age of two! Her assistance to us in preparation and procedure is second-to-none and most of us are completely reliant on her. She has been a trailblazer and a role model for women and upheld the integrity of the Legislative Council. Thank you.

The PRESIDENT: I would like to seek leave to allow Jan to give us a statement on how she has seen her career.

Leave granted.

The CLERK: In November 1964, I was interviewed by the then Clerk of the Legislative Council for the position of clerk typist to the Legislative Council. At my interview, I had to give an undertaking that I would not become engaged or married for some five years. I subsequently was appointed to the position, even though I myself was uncertain of leaving my junior teaching position at a city college.

In March the following year, the long-standing Liberal Playford government was defeated and the Labor Walsh government was elected. After the next election in 1967, Frank Walsh was replaced as Premier by Don Dunstan. In the meantime, I became engaged, and to be honest, I was terrified to face the clerk, but my colleagues suggested we should take the bull by its horns and display my ring to the clerk and break the news. I honestly thought I would get instant dismissal; however, I had hopefully proved my worth, and was not showing signs of disappearing overnight.

During this period in the late sixties and seventies, we had many all-night sittings, with deadlocked conferences between the houses lasting for many hours. Issues such as succession duties and the council franchise were on the agenda. Breakfast was often at the Adelaide Railway Station, as the dining room was unprepared. I subsequently progressed to the position of accountant to the legislature and liaised with Treasury in regard to all financial matters for the parliament as a whole. Eventually, I was appointed to a new position of parliamentary officer and then became the secretary to various select committees.

It was during this period as parliamentary officer that I had a valuable learning experience in life itself. My progression through the ranks was not always a smooth path. Certain persons, for various reasons, attempted to interfere in the appointment process during the period of retirements of senior personnel. I was subject to some torrid moments in my early career path. One of the persons suggested I should be at home doing my housewifely duties, and the then President of the Legislative Council, who held the balance of power in the upper house and was required to use his casting vote in every situation, endeavoured to appoint his son to a position for which I had applied, and I was to be moved sideways.

I was given advice and support from very senior members of both major political parties at that time, including then Premier of South Australia, the Hon. Don Dunstan. During this period, many times I would go home and feel I just could not return, but it was through the support of my family and co-workers, who were aware of what was happening, that I was given strength to continue. Through this general support, including that of very high-ranking government and opposition members, coupled with the subsequent retirement and death of the chief adversaries, I managed to survive and eventually was promoted to table officer status—that was, in those days, second clerk assistant.

I have from time to time looked back over this period of my life, but never with regret, as I think it was an important period in my personal development, and made me a much stronger person, strengthening my resolve to achieve and to never let what happened to me happen to the staff who are now under me. It certainly gave me an awareness of some of life's pitfalls, and even though I would not wish to go through a similar period, I have treated it, as I have said earlier, as a valuable life experience.

Another important event in my life was in 1978 when I found myself overnight in the position of having to act as the Usher of the Black Rod. The parliament was recalled for urgent passage of the Santos legislation and the then Clerk was overseas. With two days' notice I was required to undertake the Deputy Clerk's role as Usher of the Black Rod. The Black Rod up until that time had always been a male in all parliaments of the British Commonwealth. In fact, the holder of the office in Westminster had always been a retired military, naval or air force officer.

The ancient decree which established the office stated that it must be filled by 'a gentleman famous in arms and blood'. The actual title in those days was Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, which was included in our standing orders. There was much discussion as to how I would be announced and eventually it was determined to remove the prefix of gentleman. On this first occasion I was admitted to the bar of the House of Assembly where I received a round of applause, which was truly wonderful, as many of the members knew of the difficulties I had earlier experienced.

A year later I was actually appointed to the position of Deputy Clerk of the Council and Usher of the Black Rod. This was the first time a woman held this position in the British Commonwealth. In this position I acted as secretary to the highly controversial select committee to inquire into uranium resources, which received considerable evidence and travelled throughout Australia. The issue of uranium mining coupled with the composition of members of this committee meant that it was extremely volatile and divisive, but provided me with a considerable experience in the world of politics.

Eventually in 1992 I was appointed as Clerk of the Legislative Council, the first time a woman in any Australian parliament had held this position. Having worked for 50 years in the Legislative Council, I think you all know that I have a passion for defending this institution. I continue to enjoy working with you all and I believe I am living testament to the statement made by a federal presiding officer that 'members come and go, but Clerks stay forever'. I thank you all.

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