Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am pleased that the Leader took the time to mention the contribution of John McCabe to the House. He is a good example of a person who is a cog in a wheel which keeps that wheel moving all the time. I have always enjoyed his good humour, pleasantness, general attitude and caring way towards people. He had to cope with personal tragedy in his own life not too many years ago and he still handled his job so well at that time. I want to record our appreciation of the work that he and his colleagues do to make our lives easier. Although he may be retiring, I have promised him that he, like every other public servant, will receive – I am sure Senator Ross will be delighted to hear this – a back-money envelope for benchmarking which is due to him and which will be paid to him in due course in his retirement. I told him he should think of us all on that night. Like all the rest of us, Senator Ross will also receive a envelope on the same day.