Senator John Faulkners announcement that he will be retiring from the Senate marks the departure from Parliament of one of the Labor Partys most loyal, principled and dedicated servants.
Senator Faulkner has been one of the outstanding Parliamentarians of his generation.
He has set the standard for Labor on values, service and integrity.
Senator Faulkner entered the Senate representing New South Wales in 1989 and has been re-elected four times.
In his 25 years in Parliament, he has served as Labors Senate Leader and as a Minister under three Labor Prime Ministers.
He has worked tirelessly in Senate committees where his exceptional forensic skills have advanced the public interest and held governments to account.
In addition to these formal roles, John has been a generous mentor to new Labor Senators and Members, a trusted advisor to senior colleagues, a dedicated historian of the Labor cause and a passionate campaigner for Labor reform.
He is respected by his colleagues in the Federal Parliamentary Labor Party and by Labor members and supporters around the country.
I have been honoured to serve in the Senate alongside John Faulkner and I am grateful for all the help and counsel he has given me over the years.
I extend to him my thanks and wish him well in his retirement.