Page 2589 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 12 September 2023
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Tuesday, 12 September 2023
MADAM SPEAKER (Ms Burch) (10.00): Members:
Dhawura nguna, dhawura Ngunnawal.
Yanggu ngalawiri, dhunimanyin Ngunnawalwari dhawurawari.
Nginggada Dindi dhawura Ngunnaawalbun yindjumaralidjinyin.
The words I have just spoken are in the language of the traditional custodians and translate to:
This is Ngunnawal Country.
Today we are gathering on Ngunnawal country.
We always pay respect to Elders, female and male, and Ngunnawal country.
Members, I ask you to stand in silence and pray or reflect on our responsibilities to the people of the Australian Capital Territory.
Dr Damian West PSM
Motion of condolence
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Climate Action, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism): I move:
That this Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of Dr Damian West PSM, a valued colleague and friend who cared deeply, worked passionately and truly sought to make a difference in the public service, and tenders its profound sympathy to his family, friends and colleagues in their bereavement.
It is with sadness that I rise today to mark the passing of our friend and colleague Dr Damian West, who died suddenly on Monday, 24 July from complications of leukaemia. I particularly, this morning, welcome Damian’s wife, Sian, his children Addey and Henley, his extended family, many colleagues from across the ACT government and the broader Canberra community to the Assembly this morning.
Dr West was a leader and change maker in the ACT public service. He was instrumental in shaping ACT public service culture and workforce practices, with a strong focus on consultation, collaboration and education. He played a leading role in supporting our workforce during the pandemic, including the establishment of safe work practices for those who continued to provide frontline services to our community and through the introduction and embedding of flexible working arrangements for those who were able to work remotely.
Post-pandemic, Dr West progressed these reforms through the development of regional flexible work hubs and contemporary inclusion and diversity, workforce safety, leadership and talent programs across the ACTPS. Through all of Damian’s work, the ACT public service has become an employer of choice and recognised as one of the progressive public sector jurisdictions for its workplace practices.
Damian was recognised for this contribution through the awarding of a Public Service Medal in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. He was passionate about the public service
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