Page 4091 - Week 12 - Wednesday, 30 November 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
they do. Our community is better off because of all that you contribute. You are a shining light for others to follow.
Valedictory
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services (4.48): In preparing my end of year remarks I looked over my remarks from last year and I was granted a few of my wishes. An important one was for a federal Labor government.
I spoke about the shared values and how it would be easier to achieve outcomes for workers with an Albanese Labor government, and it has been true. The reforms being delivered this week in federal parliament to get wages going and support injured workers is just one example. These changes, of course, complement the work that this Labor government has been doing. Good Labor governments put workers front and centre.
We have more work to do to build an even better Canberra, and I look forward to working with our hardworking public servants, the community and, of course, colleagues in this place to make it happen. But, before we get there, I think we need a well-earned break. These last few years have been unprecedented. I know I said that last year, but then we know what ended up happening over the holiday period.
I am only going to make one wish this time around, and that is a wish for all of us to have a break, rest and spend quality downtime with family and friends.
As we head into the holiday seasons there is much for this government to be proud of, and I want to thank my Labor and Greens colleagues for what has been a busy and hectic year. The contributions from all my colleagues in the past fortnight highlights that great work of course.
I want to thank, in particular, Minister Vassarotti and her office for their collaboration, especially across the planning and environment portfolios. Both I and my office have appreciated their guidance and friendship.
I also want to acknowledge opposition colleagues. This place is often a contest of ideas, and it is important as it helps find better solutions. This time we have been able to work collaboratively across the parties to find a common path in may circumstances. It has been especially evident in the work to improve gender equality. Last week we passed landmark work health and safety legislation that made sexual assault notifiable to WorkSafe. This change was achieved because of the tripartisan approach to this important issue. I think there are more issues that we can achieve similar collaboration on, and I would like to see that go through next year.
As we head towards the holidays I would like to thank the people who live in the best place in Canberra, Tuggeranong, our electorate, Mr Deputy Speaker. It is looking great, thanks to the work of Minister Steel—and I know that he has more work to do
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video