Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS (New South Wales) (15:03): I move: That the Senate take note of answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today. Today's Australian tells us that Senator Carr was offered Senator Arbib's job and former foreign minister Kevin Rudd's job last week. Senator Arbib told the Senate today that he told the Prime Minister on Monday, 27 February that he was resigning. If this is the case, whose vacancy did Prime Minister Gillard have in mind? There must have been someone in mind to roll in New South Wales to enable the offer to be given effect to. Or was Senator Arbib really pushed, despite his assertions to the contrary? Minister Carr has confirmed the offer; Julie Gillard had denied it. Who is telling the truth? Given the PM's form on so many broken promises, we know who to believe. So much for the Prime Minister's alleged new assertiveness; the faceless men have forced the withdrawal of her offer. Julie Gillard has egg on her face. It is business as usual. It was very interesting to hear Senator Arbib's response to Senator Brandis. I am sure, Senator Arbib, that you take away from this place a wealth of information. I have of course suggested that you write a book. As I said yesterday evening, I am sure it will be a bestseller. But perhaps now, Senator Arbib, that you are retiring, you could transfer your considerable parliamentary skills and return to our screens on a full-time basis. Many of our colleagues in this place would be unaware that, before becoming a powerful New South Wales right factional leader, and ultimately one of the faceless men, our Senator Arbib was a star of the small screen. An opposition senator: What? Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: Yes, and he started early. At the age of 18 there was our Senator Arbib on our screens in no less than that iconic Channel 7 soapie Home and Away. In a precursor of things to come, episode 368, aired on 8 April 1989, shows young Mark Arbib in the role of Freddie Hudson—a young man visiting the youth centre because he was having a few hassles at home. And here is a photo of him—even with hair! Here he is with a serious, grim, focused look. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Arbib, did you rise on a point of order? Senator Arbib: Yes. Can I ask that that photo be tabled, please, or burnt—one or the other? The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: There is no point of order. Senator FIERRAVANTI-WELLS: Senator Arbib, of course I am happy to table it. Here he is with a serious, grim, focused look; a prelude to the political bloodletting, cutting and thrusting which was to propel him to the heights of New South Wales and national politics—but, as Senator Arbib allegedly gave Richo as his reason for leaving, he was 'sick of being covered in blood'. Anyone interested in seeing this, go to YouTube; I will give you the reference—clearly an omen for the current soap opera of unhappy political families that have become a daily feature of Australian political life. The closing credits recognise Mark Arbib as playing the character called Freddie. Funny—the acting was something, Senator Arbib, that you omitted to mention in your maiden speech when you listed the many occupations that you held before entering parliament. Mark Arbib's career has certainly been stellar—perhaps not quite in the same league as other former soapie stars, like Kylie Minogue, but he has certainly become a household name. It is interesting to note, Senator Arbib, that in your maiden speech you made mention of your grandmother's great disappointment when you told her you were running for the Senate. You stated: She questioned why I would take a job that lasted only six years and suggested I consider taking a more secure job as a bank teller. Sadly for your grandmother, your job here lasted all of three years and five months. Perhaps, with hindsight, the bank teller job may have been a safer and more edifying career option. Senator Arbib may tell us that he is leaving to help the healing process. Great sentiment, Senator Arbib, but all it means is that there will be one less faceless man. There may be one less, but they will remain in charge. The only way to restore hope, reward and opportunity is to go to an election. In the sentiment in which my contribution was made, I take the opportunity to wish Senator Arbib all the best in his new career.