Page 5344 - Week 17 - Thursday, 13 December 1990
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
change from school to jobs or, in some cases, to tertiary education. I would like to wish all these groups all the best for 1991 and beyond.
I have a couple of other brief matters. Normally I would use the Christian name of the person I am about to congratulate; but, in deference of the proceedings of this house, I will wish Dr Kinloch a happy birthday. I would also like to echo the comments that have been made in relation to the sterling support provided by all members of the staff of the Assembly to the members here, from the top to the bottom. It has been a sterling job. I would also like to thank those members of my own staff who have assisted me throughout this year.
Valedictory : Education and Health Systems
MR BERRY (1.02 am): I too would like to thank very much the staff of the Assembly for their tolerance and assistance throughout the year. Without their assistance, of course, the Opposition members of the Assembly would not be able to do the work which is required of an Opposition in this place. My thanks go out to them. I hope that they have a fine time with their families and friends over the festive season, and I wish for them all that I would wish for myself.
I think this period of the year should be a period of reflection for the Assembly on the time which has passed during the course of 1990. It is important that we, as Assembly members, think about what has occurred during this year. I think we have to consider the feelings of those people whose schools will not reopen next year. We have to consider the feelings of those people who have been involved in a bitter struggle over schools, and the scars that that will leave on those people.
We also have to consider the positive side of that; that the community has been drawn together and recognises the importance of self-government to the Territory and the impact the Assembly will have on the future of the Territory. It is truly a time for reflection for all of us. I think nobody from this Assembly could go through the festive season without reflecting on the results of this year's deliberations, in this place, in the Executive offices, and in other parts of the bureaucracy.
That reflection should also prevail in respect of our health system and any other area which has been affected by the deliberations of this Assembly. It is a requirement that not only the majority but also the Opposition reflect on those areas and those members of the community and, of course, both groups within this Assembly should reflect on how they can better serve the community during 1991. A great proportion of the community believes that this Assembly must do better in 1991, and I agree with them.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .