I acknowledge the traditional owners of the land on which we meet and pay my respects to elders past and present.
Id like to acknowledge all Senate candidates here today.
In total, 64 of us stood as candidates for the Senate in South Australia.
While our politics may differ substantially, our candidacy for the Senate is a statement of our shared belief in the democratic process.
That democratic process of course rests on the shoulders of the Australian Electoral Commission.
To Paul Hawes and his team thank you.
I am honoured to have been re-elected as a Labor Senator for South Australia.
Labors values and goals a commitment to fairness in society; a recognition of the importance of growth for our economy; and a determination to build a better future for our nation - underpinned Labors campaign.
We committed to needs-based funding for our schools, safeguarding Medicare, the backbone of our universal healthcare system, protecting penalty rates and investing in infrastructure to expand our economy and create local jobs.
But as important as these policies are, the heart of Labors campaign is the hard work of our volunteers, candidates, and staff.
To all of you who gave up time Thank you.
Id also like to pay tribute to the union movement who campaigned alongside Labor and supported Labor candidates across the country.
All Labor Senate candidates - Don Farrell, Alex Gallacher, Anne McEwen, Michael Allison, and Bronwyn Gallacher - worked extremely hard.
As a result, we achieved a primary vote of over 27 per cent, a swing of 4.66 per cent.
In the face of a record vote for minor parties that is a strong result.
But we know there is more to do.
Im pleased that three Labor Senators from South Australia were returned at this election.
But I am deeply disappointed and personally devastated that Anne McEwen has not been re-elected.
Anne McEwen is a champion of progressive causes.
Anne believes in equality, fairness, and justice, and she has never taken a backward step when these values needed defending.
And Anne has fought tirelessly for these principles, as a student representative, as a worker and union delegate, as a union official, as Secretary of the SA and NT Branch of the Australian Services Union, and for eleven years as a Senator for South Australia.
In these positions, Anne has been a fierce advocate for women, for workers, for Australias first peoples, for migrants, for refugees, and for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer Australians.
Her role as National Co-Convenor of EMILYs List saw Anne lead Affirmative Action reforms within the Labor party which will ensure Labor continues to increase the representation of women in our parliaments.
That 40 per cent of Labor Members of the House of Representatives and 50 per cent of likely Labor Senators are female is a tribute to Annes legacy.
Anne is a true team player.
One of those rare politicians who puts the team above personal interest. Shes trustworthy, keeps confidence.
She works without fuss focussed on achieving outcomes for those she represents.
As Chief Government Whip, Anne helped to make the former Labor Government one of the most legislatively successful governments in the countrys history.
And as Chief Opposition Whip, Anne helped to protect Australians from the most damaging elements of the Abbott Governments budget.
A Labor Senate Leader, thank you Anne for your contribution during your eleven years as a Labor Senator for South Australia.
Finally Id like to congratulate everyone who has been elected to represent South Australia as Senators in the Parliament.
It truly is a privilege to be elected to represent our State in the Federal parliament.
The Senate performs critical functions in our democratic system.
It is a house of review; a check on the power of executive government; and an important institution for holding the government accountable to the people.
In the last Parliament, the Senate was the last line of defence against the Abbott-Turnbull Governments broken promises and deeply unfair cuts.
In the new Senate, for Labors part, we will continue holding the Turnbull Government to account and fighting for a stronger and fairer Australia.
I look forward to working constructively with all Senators to achieve positive outcomes for all South Australians.