While I was tempted to devote a column to the bizarre happenings in the Senate over the past week – to describe it as ‘chaos’ would be an understatement – there was another uplifting but sad event that deserves top billing this week.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
June 30 marked the end of an important era for the Parliament – and particularly for our region. Senator Ursula Stephens finished her term as ALP Senator for New South Wales after 12 years representing the state from her home base in Goulburn.
In leaving, Senator Stephens did something that very few politicians – if any – have ever done. She united the ABC’s “Insiders” and Channel 10’s “Bolt Report”. That’s right – both programs praised Senator Stephen’s farewell speech – or, more correctly, her farewell song - as a class act.
And while Senator Stephen’s singing performance was certainly classy, her contribution in the Senate over 12 years is even more worthy of recognition.
Two things stand out for me when I think of Senator Ursula Stephens’s role in the Senate.
Firstly, she was not an adversarial politician. Ursula was not the Senator you saw yelling and screaming and hating. She was the one reaching across the aisle, finding common ground, reaching consensus. I think I speak for many people of all political persuasions when I say that there should be more of this.
Secondly, as a senator, Ursula was absolutely committed to her principles of sticking up for the underdog, fighting injustice, attacking disadvantage – both in Australia and overseas. From 2007 to 2010, Senator Stephens was the Parliamentary Secretary for Social Inclusion and the Voluntary Sector – a perfect fit – and always promoted the role of community organisations in our society.
For 12 years, we have benefited greatly from having a senator and committed champion of social justice down the road in Goulburn. At a time when we celebrate Anglicare’s success in securing funding for Rae Burgess Centre, I fondly recall Senator Stephens coming to Yass to lend her support to the Centre.
So while Ursula Stephens is farewelled from the Senate, a new chapter begins with her wonderful family - Bob, their children and grandchildren – and many more years of making Australia and the world a better place.
Back to the song, here are the parting words Ursula Stephens sang to the Senate:
Of all the comrades e’er I had
They are sorry for my going away
And for all the comrades e’er I had
They would wish me one more day to stay
But since it falls unto my lot
That I should go and you should not
So fill to me the parting glass
Goodnight and joy be to you all.
A gracious farewell from a classy Senator.
