Announcements
Brendan Donohue
The SPEAKER (11:01): Order! Before calling questions, damage to parliamentary property is something this Parliament takes very seriously. One of the areas we do, however, and have for some time, taken the view that we should turn a blind eye to is the etching of journalists’ names into the desks above me in the press gallery. Over many decades journalists have left their mark on the Parliament in more ways than one. One of the names that I think is probably etched there somewhere is that of Brendan Donohue, who has reported on the proceedings of this Parliament for some 30 years and has done so in a very tough but fair way. As a Presiding Officer I want to thank Brendan for the constructive and responsible approach that he has taken as a senior member of the press gallery in relation to the operation of the Parliament and the parliamentary precincts, and I think all members would wish him well in the future.
Mr ANDREWS (Mulgrave—Premier) (11:02):(By leave) With the indulgence of the house—and I am sure the Leader of the Opposition might like to take the opportunity just to add very briefly to your comments—40 years in and around this place is a very, very long time. To think that Brendan Donohue has covered politics since Premier Hamer—it is an eternity. We have not always agreed on everything, but he has always been in my experience straight and fair. And after a long and distinguished career doing a difficult job, and a critically important job to our democracy, I wish Brendan and his family all the very best for the future.
Mr M O’BRIEN (Malvern—Leader of the Opposition) (11:03):(By leave) Speaker, I seek to join your and the Premier’s comments in wishing Brendan Donohue a very successful next stage of his career and life. If a week is a long time in politics, then 40 years is an eternity. He has outseen so many of us. He has reported without fear or favour. Having been on the receiving end of some Brendan specials, as well as having instigated a few Brendan specials, I think that we all know that he can be very, very tough but fair.
Politics is important. It is important because what we do in this place affects the lives of so many of our citizens. What is very important to what we do is having the proceedings in this chamber and beyond it reported fearlessly and fairly by those members of the press gallery. Brendan Donohue has been a doyen of the press gallery over his time, and we wish him very, very well for the next stage of his life.