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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3893 ..

MR OSBORNE (continuing):

What I have enjoyed the most in the last couple of years is watching Simon with his new son. Those of us who have children have really chuckled to ourselves when he has come in tired in the mornings. I think the key to good parenting is accepting you are going to be tired all the time. I got to bed at about one o'clock this morning and woke up thinking I was having a heart attack, but my seven-year-old was lying on top of me and my two-year-old was next to me in bed. You know, you sort of wake up but you can't breathe?

I want to speak about Mr Moore as well, Mr Speaker. Unlike Mr Stanhope, I actually hated him when I came in here. I did get intrigued with politics. I had just come to Canberra to play footy and I read a story about this bloke going around the world checking out sex and drugs and I thought, "That's the career for me." But when I came in here it was a pleasure to get to know the bloke.

Michael spoke about Fred Daly. Fred was obviously tied up with the Raiders. I was good friends with Fred and he kept saying to me, "Have you learnt the standing orders?" I said, "I don't need to. I sit next to Michael." Michael, you were a great teacher to me and I want to thank you for that. I learnt a lot from Michael and I hope he has been proud of some of the things that I have been able to do.

I was just thinking about what I would like to say to Michael as he heads off into the distance. I was reminded of this story from the Bible. One of the great prophets in the Old Testament was Elijah. Jacqui will tell me if I get this wrong, but Elijah picked out his successor. I am not saying that I will be your successor, Michael, but Elijah had this man Elisha whom he taught. When Elijah was going up to heaven-I know Michael is not going up to heaven, but he is leaving-he said to Elisha, "Ask for anything and I will give it to you," and Elisha said, "Just give me a double portion." You have given me a double portion. Thanks.

Valedictory

MRS BURKE (11.42): Mr Speaker, I am reminded of that great double act, Peter Cook and Dudley Moore. I don't know whether you all know it, but now is the time to say goodbye, now is the time to yield a sigh, yield it, yield it. You are all sighing over there. Well, at the end of a huge-

Mr Quinlan: How does that go again?

MR SPEAKER: Repetition is out of order, Mr Quinlan.

MRS BURKE: Now is the time to say goodbye, now is the time to yield a sigh, yield it, yield it. That's enough of that. Okay, order. At the end of a huge exponential and experiential learning curve, I can now give my very grateful thanks to pollyana, Kate Carnell and Margaret Thatcher. If you want the video I can hire it out. Seriously, I would like to thank the former Chief Minister, Kate Carnell. Obviously I would not be standing here if it was not for Kate, so thank you Kate.

I would like to thank all the Assembly staff. There are so many of you to mention. To those present here today, I wish you every success for your future. To all those who are listening, thank you for all the help, all the water that we get, all the doors that are opened, and all the smiles on faces. It's all been said. Thank you.

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