Page 2467 - Week 07 - Thursday, 4 August 2022

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have been having recently, and we are doing everything that we can to try and improve that situation. I look forward to talking with their union representatives soon about the things that we can do to make sure that we are doing everything that we can to support them during this very difficult time.

It also helps when all of us are able to reduce transmission of COVID in the community and support each other to stay well to reduce the impact that this has on our health services. So I thank Ms Castley for her support of the nurses, and I hope that we will be able to get through this winter safely and well and be a well-connected and supportive community who are kind to each other, connected and looking out for each other.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Ms Anne Shannon and Mrs Devika Nair—retirements

Statement by Speaker

MADAM SPEAKER: Members, before I give the minister the call for adjournment, I would bring to your attention some remarks about the retirement of two members of the Office of the Legislative Assembly’s long-serving staff.

Anne Shannon commenced working with the Assembly in March 2002—20 years, Anne—initially taking the role of the clerk’s personal assistant before being promoted to the minutes/legislation officer, a position she held until her retirement a few weeks ago. In addition to compiling 763 editions of the Assembly’s Minutes of Proceedings and assisting with the production of all the acts the Assembly passed during those 20 years, Anne has also been the Assistant Secretary to the Scrutiny Committee for many years. She also produces a range of other documents, including the Business of the Assembly, the Speaker’s ruling and the very popular and ever-growing list of unparliamentary language and words!

Anne has an eagle eye and can detect an error in a member’s motion or a proposed amendment almost immediately it has been circulated. On many occasions, members would have noticed Anne coming into the chamber and having a chat with the Clerk, and that being tidied up. We have now put a bit of a fix into that with standing order 147A, which is known around the office as the Anne Shannon standing order. On behalf of all members, I want to thank Anne for all her hard work and to her dedication to the Assembly over the last 20 years.

Also, I would like to recognise the contribution of Devika Nair, the Hansard Publishing and Web Support Officer in the Hansard Office. Devika commenced working in the Assembly in March 2004, and in the last 18 years she has helped to ensure that all the words spoken by us here in the Assembly are accurately and faithfully recorded. And thank goodness she does not record actually every word that is uttered in this place or that would be a different read indeed!

On an indulgent note, I have been inclined to make up words and mess up words, but Devika and the Hansard team always seem to come through and make us sound very, very well worded and engaged.


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