Dunne Peter: Motions — Clerk of the House of Representatives—RetirementText is incorporated into the Bound VolumeDunne Peter: Motions — Clerk of the House of Representatives—Retirement[Sitting date: 01 July 2015. Volume:706;Page:4971. Text is incorporated into the Bound Volume.]Hon PETER DUNNE (Leader—United Future): I want to share the sentiments expressed by others in tribute to Mary for all that she has achieved as our Clerk over the last 8 years and the 20-odd years beforehand that she was a servant of this Parliament. I have often thought that there are a couple of essential attributes that a good Clerk requires. One is an absolute poker-face—to be able to listen to all of the debates in this Chamber absorb their content so that the Speaker can be advised to make appropriate rulings but never ever betray a hint of prejudice or interest one way or the other in the course that the debate is taking. Mary over the years you have proved to be absolutely inscrutable in that regard and I think it is a tribute to your professionalism your impartiality and your skill that at a time when passions have mounted greatly in this House you have been often the one calm voice of order amongst us so thank you for that.I think that the second attribute that a Clerk needs to possess is an extraordinary ability to assess the situation and to offer advice to the individual member either privately or through the Chamber seeking assistance on a particular point again without ever revealing how stupid trivial extreme or otherwise you think the question that you are being asked may be. I think all members would feel that you have provided advice that has been professional that has been thorough and that has often saved MPs from themselves in particular situations and again for that we are grateful.But I think you have demonstrated a third skill as well. It is fashionable outside this place these days to try to reduce the traditions and the history and the flavour of Parliament to being somewhat of a fiction. We have seen a succession of occasions over the years where external influences—philistines in the main—have tried to treat Parliament as just another Government agency or just the same as a large corporate. Often it has been the Clerk in particular Mary who has stood against that degree of barbarism that has intruded into this place to try to uphold the good and proper traditions of a free and democratic Parliament to try to say that there are issues that MPs need to be steadfast on even if they may feel a little bit ambivalent themselves about doing so. I think your guidance your determination and your absolute commitment and love for this place have shone through on each of those occasions.So we will inevitably be the poorer for your departure and it is little solace to us as we slave through the Order Paper to know that you will be on a cycling holiday in Italy or fishing in the Ōtaki Forks. That is great for you and I am delighted that is the case but Parliament will seriously miss your wisdom.Hon Member: Jealous?Hon PETER DUNNE: I am a little jealous actually yes. We will seriously miss your wisdom your guidance your input and your steadfast hand quietly on the tiller of State. Having said that can I say to David like we probably said a few years ago when Mary succeeded that you have big shoes to fill. We have every confidence in your ability to do so but I am sure that only an email or a telephone call away will be some guidance and some assistance if you need it as you transition into the role.Can I just conclude by making this observation: over the years this Parliament has been extraordinarily well served by its officers. I think often we take them for granted. Today is an occasion to pay tribute to one of our best. Mary all the very best for your future. I hesitate to use the word “retirement” because I am sure it will not be that. You have friends here who will continue to show an interest in what you are up to love to hear from you and look forward to whatever the next turn in your extraordinarily varied and interesting life may be.