Senator MICHAEL BAUME (New South Wales) —I speak in this farewell to the Parliament as a backbencher. I do not presume to speak for the back bench, but I do hope that some of the message I want to give is supported by that back bench. I certainly do not look on the departure from this chamber with mixed feelings at all; I look on it with feelings of absolute and total regret. I regret that we are leaving this outstanding chamber for a chamber which I regard as second rate and tatty. I believe that we are moving from a chamber with character, history and significance to the blight on the hill.

Only seven of the present 75 Senators came into this Parliament before I did. I must say that any of us who have been here at any time will have adopted an approach to this chamber and to the chamber next door which I believe is full of recognition of the history that has taken place in those chambers and the very nature of the chambers themselves. My father sat in the Press gallery at the opening of this Parliament. My father, as a journalist, attended the opening of this building. I certainly feel a great sense of personal attachment to it. I regret our leaving.

2-3 June 1988 SENATE

SENATE 2-3 June 1988

2-3 June 1988 SENATE