Unfortunately, the culture of my party has been a little hostile to its professional staff seeking a position in parliament, as witnessed by my being only the second state director in 50 years to enter the Senate. I do note that the Labor Party has a very different approach to this issue, as is evidenced by the fact that five former national and state secretaries of the party are currently serving in the Senate. While my career to date has been political, I have virtually no political antecedents. I hope in my time in the Senate to do as much as any individual politician can to improve the esteem in which the institution of parliament and its members are held. The low regard for MPs in the community should be of concern to all parl iamentarians.
Liberal democracy is a fragile thing.
Its continuation is dependent upon the public's confidence in and trust in the people elected to parliament. A bipartisan approach to the restoration of faith in the parliamentary process is a worthy goal to which I fully subscribe. The opposition's role in that process is to provide a constructive contribution to the business of government with a constant eye to the national interest. That contribution must embrace a critical examination of government policies and legislation to safeguard this chamber's true role as a house of review. I look forward to playing my part in our common pursuit of the advancement of the Australian nation and its people.