PARLIAMENTARY REPRESENTATION

Senator HUME (Victoria—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (18:04): I think I'm pulling rank by doing this one; it's something I probably wouldn't be able to say if it hadn't been for Jonno. When Marise Payne left this place and did her valedictory speech, Jonno filled up her water glass with gin. You'll be pleased to know—I've seen him drain his glass now—that we didn't do that to Jonno today, which is probably a good thing.

Jonno, Patto and I came in together as the class of 2016. We were the only three newbies back then. He made an impact from day one.

He stood up in the party room and said that he was a senator from the great state of Tasmania. He said, 'Yes, you can still see the scar on my neck from where they took away the second head,' and it was reported in the newspaper. I think that was the first time he was quoted in the newspaper.

He was referring to his second head, which was quite an extraordinary entrance. He's been a terrific friend from day one. We became assistant ministers at the same time.

On his first day as an assistant minister, I think, he had to go and do an event with the forestry industry. Do you remember that one? Do you know what his opening line was when he did his first speech as an assistant minister?

It was, 'How good is wood?' He makes an impact wherever he goes, doesn't he? It is amazing. He has done so well in this place.

I'm not going to add too much to what's already been said here, because I think that so many of us feel exactly the same way. He is friends with everybody. Everybody feels like they are special in Jonno's life.

That in itself is an extraordinary skill. When you become a grown-up, there aren't too many people that can make you laugh until the tears come. Jonno is absolutely one of those people.

I will treasure the memories, the many, many memories, of laughing with Jonno until the tears came. In fact, I think we have it on video in a couple of places. There was one moment where Marise Payne, in an impassioned speech in here, accidentally referred to the President of the Senate, 'Mr President', as 'Mr Terrorist'.

Jonno and I were sitting behind her, and it was one of those moments where your shoulders go up and down in something like schoolgirl giggles and you just cannot even look up. It was so good, so funny. We respect him not just because he's good fun to be with or because he's a great friend but because we trust him.

There aren't too many people you can say that about around this chamber, dare I say, or even around the building. But Jonno is somebody who we trust. At moments when things matter, you know that you can entirely rely on him.

His judgement is sound, his instincts are so good, his attitude is absolutely contagious and his hair is fabulous—and I say that with some experience! So, Jonno, thank you very much for your service, for your time, for your sacrifice and for your friendship. I hope you will still be at the end of a phone.

When we need an objective voice, a bit of advice, an opinion, some wise counsel or a good laugh, I hope you won't be too far away.