I pay tribute to my dear friend and Yawuru man Senator Patrick Dodson, who has today announced his retirement from the Federal Parliament.
Patrick has dedicated his life to improving the lives of Indigenous Australians, and deserves our deepest respect and gratitude.
I first met Patrick in 1995, when we worked together on the Recognition, Rights and Reform report for the Keating government.
Over many years, his courage and wisdom has been a powerful source of support.
His work on constitutional recognition spans many years. He was Co-Chair of the Expert Panel for Constitutional Recognition and the Co-Chair of the Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition.
It was an immense privilege to work with him as the Special Envoy for Reconciliation and Implementation of the Uluru Statement.
That he returned to work after serious health challenges, to be part of the Yes campaign, is a great testament to his strength and dedication.
Patrick has a long history of advocating for justice for First Nations peoples, including as a Commissioner for the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody in 1989.
He has carried the stories of those who died in custody with him into Federal Parliament, where he has been a staunch advocate for justice - seeking to turn around the rates of Indigenous incarceration and deaths in custody that remain a national shame.
Known as the Father of Reconciliation, Senator Dodson has spent many years advancing reconciliation. I worked with him during his term as the inaugural chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation.
Since he was sworn in to the Senate in May 2016, Patrick Dodson has been a tireless advocate for the people of Western Australia.
As the Prime Minister has said, the moment Patrick entered Parliament, he made this place a better one.
As he leaves the nation’s capital and returns to Yawuru country, I wish him all the very best. He leaves a remarkable legacy which we all have a responsibility to continue.