I pay tribute to the service of Senator the Honourable Jacinta Collins following her announcement that she will not be contesting the next election.
Senator Collins has been a determined and principled representative of Victoria in the Senate across two decades.
She is one of our most experienced and respected senators whose parliamentary work has included select committees into A Certain Maritime Incident, School Funding, and Establishment of a National Integrity Commission.
As Chair of the Senate Standing Committee of Privileges since 2013, she has handled a substantial volume of sensitive inquiries that made highly significant recommendations for the protection of the privileges of all parliamentarians. This work will continue.
In 2013, she became deputy leader of the government in the Senate when I became leader.
Through our work together in those roles I came to know and depend upon Jacintas consistency, reliability and trustworthiness.
Jacinta puts the Labor Party and the team first.
As Senate Leader I am personally grateful for her contribution, and for her friendship.
I especially acknowledge the role that Senator Collins has played since assuming the role of Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate in the current parliament.
In this position, as when she was manager of government business, she has been an integral part of Labors leadership team in the Senate. Her consistency and her resolve have been invaluable.
The Senate will be poorer for her departure.
I wish Jacinta and her family all the very best.
Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.