PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION

Senator McKIM (Tasmania—Australian Greens Whip) (18:27): I go back a way with Pete. In fact, Pete surfaced in Tasmania for me—probably out the back of a wave and through some kelp fronds—in the pulp-mill campaign, the campaign against Gunns Ltd's toxic, forest-chewing pulp mill that was proposed for the Tamar Valley. I was in the Tassie parliament at the time, and Pete was one of the real leaders in the community campaign against that mill.

As always, it's the activism that won the day. That toxic mill was knocked off, the beautiful Tamar estuary was never polluted and our forests were saved from that. Pete, I think during or perhaps just after that, ran for us—was it in Windermere?

Senator Whish-Wilson: Yes. Senator McKIM: He got drubbed, if I remember correctly— Senator Whish-Wilson: I got 16½ per cent! Senator McKIM: Completely drubbed—just like Bob Brown did in one of his first elections, I might add, so it was a well-trodden pathway.

I don't mean to inflame my colleagues from New South Wales, but this was prior to us moving to member elected ballots to preselect our political reps— Senator Shoebridge interjecting— Senator McKIM: Please, David. I was on the panel that Pete and others presented to. I don't know if you even know this, Pete—I'm going to slightly break confidence—but it was a very close-run thing.

This is not a reflection on any of the other candidates, because you actually were up against a field of very, very strong candidates for this position, but we got that one right. We got that one right, preselecting you, and I've never regretted that. I've never regretted that for a moment, because you are an absolute warrior, Pete.

If I were ever unfortunate enough to get conscripted and go to war, there is no-one I would pick to go with me over you, mate, because you would never let your mates down. You wouldn't be fighting so much for the country, in my view. You would stand there with your mates, and you would do whatever it took to look after your mates.

You'd leave no-one behind, and I know that about you. You're a warrior for nature, and others have talked about that. There are a couple of classic Pete moments; I just can't let the chance go by here.

One which I really admire that went viral around the world was calling for Army snipers to shoot dogs that attacked the fairy penguins at Bicheno. We woke up to the global headlines, there. I know the birdos were very happy down in Tassie.

The hardcore conservationists were very, very happy with that, and I do admire that. I think that was a classic Pete Whish-Wilson intervention. One that I'm not so sure about, though—and I'm not going to demand answers from your staff, here—is that I do want to know who let Pete put out that postcard of the penguin with its guts hanging out in full colour into the letterboxes of Tasmania.

It's not the greatest piece of political communication I've ever seen in my life. In fact, I won't dob in who, but one of my staff members still has a copy of the memento of how not to communicate politically. It's one that's gone down in our little office history, mate.

Again, it embodied one of your greatest characteristics. We've heard about Pete the politician, but Pete the person, for me, has two really enduring character traits. One is courage, and I've spoken about that, but the other one is honesty.

There's not a lot of artifice about you, Pete, and not a lot of bullshit about you. You're a straight shooter, and you and I have had a couple of honest conversations over the journey, and, in fact, I remember one phone conversation. I won't go into the details, but the levels of honesty both ways were so high.

I think I might have suggested that we just pause the conversation and resume it later when we'd both decided to be slightly less forthright with each other. I won't go into any further details, but you've never held a grudge, and I really respect that about you. We've agreed to disagree a couple of times, and we're still really, really good mates.

I really appreciate that, Pete. Your wines—I remember texting you a year or so ago because I somehow forgot to drink a bottle of—was it the 2015 Pinot? Senator Whish-Wilson: 2013.

Senator McKIM: The 2013 Three Wishes Pinot. I found it in my cupboard in the kitchen, and I messaged Pete. He's going, 'Oh, that was a really good year!

Save it,' so I saved it for my 60th birthday—family dinner, 60th birthday. It drunk like a $500 bottle of burgundy. It was an absolute ripper, mate.

Senator Whish-Wilson: You contacted them— Senator McKIM: I did. It was an absolute ripper. I remember you for your wines, but more for who you are.

I know this is the end of a chapter, but it's not the end of the story. We all know that, and we know you've given this a massive crack, and it's time to spend a little bit of time with your family. Your love for your family has shone through in what you said.

I'll see you on the streets and see you in the forests, mate. I might see you up a tree one day; I might see you in the waves one day. Hook into a few barrels, Pete, hook into a few walls, carve a few turns, and spend time on your beloved ocean.

Senator Whish-Wilson interjecting— Senator McKIM: I will. Pete has just asked me because he won't get a chance to speak again. A shout out to Scott Jordan and all of the team from Bob Brown Foundation, keep up the good fight, folks.