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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Thursday, 26 August 2004) . . Page.. 4451 ..

I have admired her tenacity on issues when the votes were railed up against her, when she was always going to lose. She has had the most 16:1 votes in this place since 1989, but she has always worn that well. It is important to recognise that Kerrie’s principles are always more important than her popularity in this chamber. I have always regarded her as a gentle person with much conviction and someone I have been very proud to be associated with.

I am grateful to the people of Brindabella for giving me the opportunity to serve them for two terms in this place. It is an honour only a few people have had bestowed upon them, and I am humbled when I reflect on this honour. I was going to express my appreciation of a number of people, but thanks to the Leader of the Opposition, who has gone through the phone book, they have been listed. I appreciate that because time is of the essence.

We often pick up the committees and all those sorts of things. I am really much in their debt because they are fantastic people. We should also remember that without Rex Hunt’s mentor, Ray Blundell, up here we would not function and nobody would know about us. We need to acknowledge Ray, and we also need to acknowledge all the attendants. I mean, old Reg over here is a card. If you want to know any goss or anything that is going on or when the Prime Minister is going to Government House, ask Reg.

Mr Comrade Speaker, I want to acknowledge Barry “Go the Pliers” Schilg. As Brendan said, without Barry the technical support just would not work in this place. I would like to acknowledge my staff: Maria Vincent, Andrew Barr and Ian McNeill, who are brilliant. Maria is legendary amongst my constituents; without her I would have no reputation out there at all. Andrew is just brilliant in my office. Thank you, colleagues. I have had an absolute blast these last three years, and I hope to be back and to have a blast in the next three years too.

Ms Dundas: Four.

MR HARGREAVES: No, I am going to go only three. Then I am going to retire. You heard it first, my friend.

Valedictory

MR STEFANIAK (12.13 am): I thank colleagues, especially my own personal staff, the opposition staff and, indeed, the staff of government members and members of the crossbenches. It has been a pleasure dealing with you. I think we are very lucky with the staff in this place. I thank all of you. I thank my Assembly colleagues for the last three-year term. It has been interesting. It is always different. There are always different people. I do not think people realise just how much work is done in this place.

To the Assembly staff, in all their various capacities—whom my leader, Mr Smyth, has gone through, person by person—thank you for the fantastic effort that you make. Max, you have a magnificent team there. Finally, Mr Speaker, I congratulate you on your first term as Speaker. You have handled it exceptionally well, with fairness, dignity and firmness, when required. I thank you for your efforts. Good luck to everyone who is standing again, and I hope to see most of you back here.

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