Alan Ramsey comments on the dearth of parliamentary recognition afforded to Australia's writers at the time of their death, citing the example of Colin Thiele. Ramsey says, 'To make your mark by the power and eloquence of the written word, unless you are a Nobel Laureate, is nowhere near enough in this country...' He compares the relative silence that greeted Thiele's death with the accolades delivered in memory of Steve Irwin.