Page 4210 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 24 October 2017
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new citizens to aim high and to become politically engaged. He used his own experience as a refugee who had made it to the floor of an Australian parliament as a model for others. I have to confess that when Steve was not at these events I took up his narrative. I liked to retail his story as a way of encouraging our new citizens to be like Steve. Like Steve Doszpot, they too could become representatives of their community. They, like us, could follow Steve’s example to be fierce and formidable crusaders for his constituents. I want to thank Steve and his family for their commitment to Canberra and to this parliament.
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (11.06), by leave: There are a couple of people you never want to follow speaking: one is Brendan Nelson—if you have ever had the opportunity to listen to him speak he is Australia’s best public speaker—and the other one is possibly Vicki Dunne, because she is likely to blubber over a well-written question in question time. But I think we can forgive Vicki today because it is a very poignant day. There have been some fantastic speeches from all members, but the speech you gave, Steve, for all of us here and for many people who have not come very often to this place—you are always welcome—it was a real insight into your humility, into your passion, into your commitment to your constituents, into your bravery and into your skills as an orator as well. It is in large part an example of why you are so well liked and why you are so well respected.
It is wonderful to see so many people here today, so many friends and former colleagues of Steve. It is difficult to fill this place, but when we were talking about this event in the party room the other day we knew that the gallery would be full because it was Steve Doszpot. It probably would not be so much for that way for other members of the Liberal Party, but for Steve it is definitely the case.
Steve, you have an extensive friendship network. We meet people in politics all the time, but people stick to you for the time you take to know them and the empathy you show them. Fleur and I went out for dinner a few weeks ago with Steve and Maureen and it was a classic Dozzie night where we go out and have a great time but Steve is never there; he is always off chatting to someone. Everyone wants to talk to Steve, and he takes the time with people. Poor old Maureen is sitting there, often by herself, left alone while Steve is networking and so on. But you do not get friends by accident; you do not get to be so well known by accident—you remember people and you take time with them.
As Andrew and others have said, Steve is a great family man. A number of us were lucky enough to share Steve’s 69th birthday party which happened recently. We listened to some wonderful stories from people throughout his life and some great speeches put together by Amy and Adam and a number of his mates. What a rich life you have led, Steve, and what a wonderful family. On the way home Fleur and I were saying, “Man, I’d love to live a life like that.” Who could ask for a better family and for better children? It is probably unparliamentary, but they are very good in taking the piss out of you, I would have to say. I know Steve is as good at giving it as taking it, so it is only fair.
Steve, it has been said, is a champion of lost causes, and that is very true. But you have won more than you have lost, there is no doubt about that, and the long list of
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