Senator CHRIS EVANS —I would also like to make a few comments about the retiring senators. Senator Bob Collins said he would be brief. I also say that I will be brief; but I will be brief. Firstly, I start by saying that I have not had much to do with Senators Bell, Crichton-Browne, Teague and Baume in my time in the Senate, so I do not intend to say too much about them, other than to say that Senator Bell was a very good chair of the Finance and Public Administration Committee when I served on it, and that I have always found Senator Teague to be a very genuine bloke and a gentleman.

I want to make a couple of comments about the Labor senators and Senator Spindler and Senator Chamarette, both of whom I have had more to do with in my time here. While I am not much of a punter, I thought one way to make an abbreviated contribution was to do something of a form guide. Senator Bryant Burns: metal worker, good comrade, friend of the battler, Labor stalwart—it has been a pleasure serving with you. Gerry Jones: good bloke, consummate whip, distinguished career—he will be very much missed; thanks, Gerry. Michael Beahan: a distinguished Labor career—a professional, effective president, has more to contribute. Tom Wheelwright: an enthusiast, an economist—too good to stay on the interchange bench. Sid Spindler: civil libertarian, activist, highly principled, effective parliamentarian—a good role model for a Democrat. Christabel Chamarette: genuine, committed, frustrating—cannot tell a joke—but an excellent travelling companion.