I second what my colleague, Senator Gerard P. Craughwell, had to say. This is the Upper House of the State's Legislature. Some people may not view it as such, but I do. I respect it and I am privileged and grateful to be here. I intend to use it in a civil way. It is not a place for the shouting, catcalling and booing that we heard yesterday. It is a place for argument, discussion, debate, communication and, above all, listening. The behaviour in front of our gentleman Minister, Deputy Simon Coveney, was outrageous. I did not enter the Chamber because I did not want to be seen looking on silently. Using our technology without discretion is an affront to human communication, as is sometimes the case when the Leader is answering questions while the Members who asked them are texting on their phones. The lack of acknowledgement of the Chair on the way in and out of the Chamber is appalling. If one was leaving a kitchen or one's sitting room when visitors or friends were present, one would say, "Excuse me," or give some indication that one wanted to leave or enter in the middle of a conversation. The casual use of this Chamber as if it was some kind of inn, tavern, well, bus stop or snug at the back of a pub is appalling. Some Senators ask tortured and urgent questions as if their lives depended on them, but they do not even bother to wait for an answer from the Leader who goes to a great deal of trouble to try to understand what they are saying and accommodate what they are seeking. That is outrageous. I do not want to be part of such a House, such a lack of civility, such a lack of standards, such bad manners and such a lack of respect. Neither do I want to be part of that visualisation on national and international television. This is the Upper House of Parliament and we need to show example. Who will take us seriously if our manners and level of respect are so lacking? In my history of working in communications the one thing that got different politics and ideas across was civility.

I intend to make this speech every day next week until we recognise some standard here.