Page 9 - Week 01 - Thursday, 4 November 2004
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I acknowledge some of that history and tradition that is with us today and which continues to grow. In the gallery we have the Chief Justice of the ACT. We have two of our Federal representatives: Senator Gary Humphries and the member for Canberra, Annette Ellis. We have former chief ministers—Rosemary Follett and Trevor Kaine; it is great to have them with us—as well as a number of former members. Now that we enter this Sixth Assembly it is that growing tradition and the number of former leaders and former members that we have to consult with and fall back on that will make us stronger.
We also have with us the Mayor of Queanbeyan. Canberra does not stand alone; we are not an island. As a representative of the Queanbeyan region and the whole of the capital region, I welcome Mayor Pangallo. I welcome other community leaders and the media—sometimes our friends and sometimes not so friendly—who are often forgotten but who perform a valuable role in getting the message out about what it is that we do in this place. I welcome family and friends. I will put in a personal plug and say hello to dad and mum, who are in the back row.
I congratulate the Chief Minister on his election. I note that with majority comes responsibility. The role of opposition is even more important against a majority government. To the government I say: use your majority wisely because we will be here to keep you in check.
The presence of a majority government for the first time in the ACT represents a growing maturity out there in the electorate. Over the last 15 years we have dabbled with the Assembly in many formats: governments have risen and fallen and risen again, and members and ministers have come and gone. But, as a community, we have now put our trust in a single party. Of course, we will either reap the benefits of that or perhaps it will bear some sour fruit.
I congratulate the new members of the Assembly—Mary Porter and Mick Gentleman, Deb Foskey from the Greens and, particularly, Richard Mulcahy and Zed Seselja from the Liberal Party. Welcome, class of 2004; enjoy your day. More than anything, this is your day. It is an absolute privilege and an honour to serve your community. I hope you will enjoy that honour as much as I have. I hope that you can enjoy it for as long as I intend to.
It is important to note that most first term oppositions tend to go backwards. However, the team of the Canberra Liberals has not gone backwards: we have gained a seat and an average swing of about four per cent across the electorate. Indeed, a third seat for the Liberals in Brindabella is just a handful of votes away. It is a good lesson to all of us. I note the smirk on Mr Hargreaves’s face. We will continue to work and be that sort of opposition—always moving forward.
I would like to offer some thanks. Much of the success of the Canberra Liberals is due to the work of the President of the division, Mr Gary Kent; the party Director, Mr Andrew Wilsmore, who is with us today; my chief of staff, James Lennane; and other members of the campaign committee and the party, who worked so hard.
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