Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee, , 5:16 to 12:38
Clerk of the Senate Richard Pye announces his upcoming retirement after 35 years of service, receiving tributes from the President and Senators for his leadership and constitutional knowledge.
Topics: Workplace culture, Parliamentary privilege
Speakers: Mr Henry Pike, Speaker 3, Hon Jane Hume, Senator Karen Grogan, Unknown Speaker
>> Thank you Mr. Pike. Over to you. Uh
>> yes, thank you chair. Um I also wanted to say on on behalf of my colleagues in the Senate department that our thoughts are with the member for Indai and her family, her staff, her community. Um some of my staff have worked closely with Dr. Hannes, particularly in joint committee settings. Most recently, uh she's the deputy chair of the joint committee overseeing the National Anti-Corruption Commission. And [sighs] uh my staff and the many many staff in the House of Representatives who have worked closely with have been profoundly affected by by these events. Uh the circumstances of the incident are deeply un unsettling and have been felt right across the parliamentary community. uh the safety and support for safety of and support for all participants in parliamentary and public life is of paramount importance as we navigate the aftermath of these events. I wanted to put that on the record on behalf of my my staff. Um yes, as has been uh as has been foreshadowed, I suppose um this I hope for this to be my last estimates. I hope you take that in the right in the spirit in which it's intended. Um, since 1999, the position of clark of the Senate has been um a position appointed by the president of the day after consultation with senators for a single non-renewable 10-year term. Um, that 10 years um expires on the 8th of March next year. So, theoretically, I could sneak in one more round of estimates. I'm subject to the compulsory powers of this committee. Um, but it would be and I'm tempted because the 8th of March is Canra Day and ending your career on the Camber day public holiday would surely be a highlight. Um, but it would be my intention with the president's blessing uh because she has to approve my leave to become uh to begin a period of leave from the end of January next year. Um, I wanted to express my thanks to senators and to their staff for the way that they've engaged with me and my team over my tenure as Clark. Um, and for putting the faith in me and my team to provide the advice and support that we're here to provide so that you can participate in uh the proceedings of the the Senate and its its committees. Um I I do deeply thank senators for the trust that they have expressed in me over that time. Um and for mostly engaging in a positive spirit even in this room. Um I also want to um thank my staff. The staff of the Senate department are amazing. Not just the ones in the room today. Um but uh they're a dedicated, committed, engaged, professional, and um profoundly talented bunch of people. And it's been an absolute honor to lead them these last 10 years. And more broadly to have been part of the team for coming up for 35 years by the time I walk out the door, that's that's long enough, I think. So, uh, even if that single 10-year term wasn't there, I suspect I would be waltzing out the door sometime next year. Um, so, thank you to, uh, this committee for allowing me to make this statement. Thank you for your engagement with me over the years. Thank you to senators and their staff more broadly and the occasional member of the House of Representatives who stumbled onto the pink carpet for advice. Um and in in particular, thank you to my staff for the faith that they have placed in me. Thank you, chair.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Uh uh thanks chair. If I could add to that, um as Richard said, he by [clears throat] the time he retires next year on the 8th of March, he'll have nearly 35 years service. Um which is absolutely outstanding to start here as what must have been quite a young boy. >> on junior wages. Um to end up with 35 years is quite the accomplishment. I've worked with Richard both as the deputy chair when he used to advise me before the morning started and more recently as president and he has been absolutely is amazing. For any of you who've asked him for advice, um it's always frank and fearless. Sometimes I like the advice he gives me, sometimes I don't. Uh I try to argue back but but Richard is very patient. Um he is a great thinker and his knowledge of the Senate and the Constitution um is huge. Uh he leaves very big shoes to fill. There's not a question I've ever asked Richard and I have asked some quite crazy questions uh that he has not been able to um to answer. Um his term of course commenced uh following a double dissolusion which gave the Senate its largest ever crossbench. Um so he's very experienced in dealing with crossbenches. Um he also dealt with uh section 44 disqualif disqualifications and um and he also uh guided the parliament through the covid pandemic. So each and every one of those is quite significant. But put all three together during his parliamentary career and it shows you the depth um and Richard's ability to be innovative and thoughtful and to always give us um good advice. Um he presides over a department that almost gets I think 100% in its satisfaction surveys. I don't know how he arrives at that. Um
>> pre-filled ballots.
>> Very good. [laughter] Um but that is a testament to his uh his leadership of that Senate department. They are an amazing department, all of them. Um and they serve us well as senators. So Richard, you do leave very very big shoes to fill and I wish you well. Um and I'll think about your
Okay. Um we'll go to questions and we'll start with Senator Hugh.
>> Thank you. Thank you, chair. Just before we begin, can I please on behalf of the coalition associate myself and ourselves with the comments that you made chair and also the comments that you have made uh president about uh Dr. Haines. We obviously wish her a speedy recovery uh and a fast return to parliament so she can resume her duties uh representing her community so well with honor and dedication and with grace. Uh and can I also please acknowledge uh the extraordinary role of the cler. You will be well missed. Um your wise counsel, your trusted advice and your dedicated service has been something that I know that we have valued in opposition as well as in government. And I thank you very much for your service and um how lucky you are to have your last Senate estimates. But we'll see about that.