Page 4004 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 1 December 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Valedictory
MS DAVIDSON (Murrumbidgee—Assistant Minister for Seniors, Veterans, Families and Community Services, Minister for Disability, Minister for Justice Health and Minister for Mental Health) (5.12): As we head into the final sitting days of 2021, I have been reflecting on the last 12 months and reaffirming my commitment to supporting our community through whatever may come in the next year, and the privilege of working with so many committed, creative, caring people in this Assembly, in our public service and in our community sector.
This year has not been what any of us expected, including me. I have learned a lot from the people I have worked with over this year, and I am grateful for that. I know that I still have a lot to learn.
I want to thank my constituents in Murrumbidgee and all Canberrans for supporting and engaging with me this year. I thank those who have written to me, met with me or my office, and engaged with me at events and community forums to discuss not only the issues that matter to them but also to advocate on matters that impact others. This is the kind of community we are. We think about and look for ways to support each other and recognise that we are stronger together.
I acknowledge all of my colleagues in this place, my fellow Liberal, Labor and Greens MLAs and ministerial colleagues, for your hard work this year. In particular, I acknowledge the Greens MLAs and the big Greens team in this Assembly, for your vision, determination and optimism regarding building a better normal.
I thank the community sector for your fierce advocacy and for working with the ACT government to deliver important services and programs. I thank every individual worker and volunteer for your dedication and innovation in supporting Canberrans, and for fostering a more inclusive community.
Our city could not have made it through this year in the way that we have without our emergency and health workers, including those working in call centres and administrative roles. You are doing an amazing job, and I am sure all Canberrans will join me in thanking you for the work that you are doing. Our community is safer and able to do things that support good physical and mental wellbeing because of you.
I also thank our public servants, particularly those in human services within Canberra Health Services, ACT Health, the Office for Mental Health and Wellbeing and the Community Services Directorate for their flexibility and hard work in responding to the public health emergency, to support Canberrans throughout the pandemic. I thank our official visitors for monitoring the support that people receive in our care, to improve service quality and safeguard their rights.
I also could not do what I do without my staff. Thank you, Jon, Clare, Julia, Eliza, Loi and Hafsa, and team members who have gone on to other adventures—Veronica, Rochelle, Aiden, Greg, Erin, Sandra, and our intern Paul. You have my sincere thanks for being part of the journey.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video