Senator BRANDIS (1:41 PM) —I wonder if I might just momentarily take the opportunity of this debate on the Governor-General Amendment (Salary and Superannuation) Bill 2008 to acknowledge and congratulate the government on the appointment of Her Excellency Quentin Bryce to her high office. I have had the privilege of having known Her Excellency since 1975, when she taught me as a first-year law student.

Senator McGauran —She’s to blame.

Senator BRANDIS —She is to blame; that is right, Senator McGauran! She has been a wonderful mentor of generations of young Queenslanders—and people elsewhere in Australia too, during her time as Principal of Women’s College at the University of Sydney. The appointment of Quentin Bryce, which Dr Nelson welcomed on behalf of the opposition when it was announced several weeks ago, has certainly caused me great pleasure. She is a wonderful person, as is her husband Michael, and I think the new occupants of Yarralumla will certainly bring to this city a charisma and a stature which will—with no disrespect to any previous occupant—be greatly welcomed by all the residents of this city.

Question agreed to.

Bill read a second time.