Mr QUICK (1:25 PM) —by leave—I just briefly want to put on the public record my admiration for a great bloke. I grew up in the Mallee in Victoria—around Rainbow, Jeparit, Nhill and Kaniva—as a young boy, and also up in Port Augusta, when my dad was a Presbyterian minister wandering around Victoria and South Australia. There is a part of me, I guess, that is almost a National Party member, because as a child I grew up going to high schools and primary schools where I could see the hassles with providing adequate education and experience the tyranny of distance. I ended up in Tasmania representing the southernmost electorate in Australia, with its large component of Country Party area. So I understand where John is coming from and his love of the bush, as we call it. I would like to place on record my tribute to a man who has worked tirelessly, not only in his time in this place but also in almost every avenue, to sustain, protect, encourage and advance the people who live outside our big cities.

On another angle, I saw John at his finest the other day when he delivered an address to lots of dads. He has played a pivotal role in the bush and also in the urban areas advocating the role of men in our society. Also, John’s faith and witness here is something that is now out in the open. John’s support for and involvement in the Parliamentary Christian Fellowship every second Wednesday when we have our breakfast has been tremendous. We hold the national prayer breakfast every year in the Great Hall. He has delivered some outstanding addresses. He is a wonderful bloke.

As Jim Lloyd said, there is sadness in this place today. There is happiness that we can actually personalise and humanise people. We can call them by their first name rather than by their seat. It is great because too infrequently in this place do we have the opportunity to speak from the heart. It was great to see Peter Costello in his deliberations today close to tears. That is great because the more humanity we show in this place, the more faith we show, the better we are as people. So it is farewell to a really great bloke. I consider him a friend, even though we are on the other side of the fence. Every chance I get to shake his hand at parliamentary breakfasts, national prayer breakfasts or wandering around the place, he is never too busy to talk to a humble backbencher on the other side of the fence. I wish him and his family all the best. Long may he witness his faith and his belief in God. To those on the other side who are feeling some pain today, John will be around giving guidance and succour to many of us for many years to come. Thank you for the opportunity.