Page 4964 - Week 15 - Thursday, 15 December 2005
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friends, even apparently among colleagues in the same party. I have got to know you all, sometimes through talking to you, but mostly through listening to you and watching you. No doubt you have done the same with me.
I have also appreciated getting to know your staff. To some extent this was through trying to organise yoga classes—necessary, I might say, but sadly most of us were too busy to be regular attendees. Even so I want to thank Kay Reardon for coming along a number of times.
I also worked this year to improve our ability to deal with green waste. I am pleased to say that all my efforts were in vain because the issue has apparently been solved more comprehensively through other efforts than mine. It just goes to show that the world has greened up.
It has been of interest to me as a political scientist to study the workings of this place close up. As you know, I believe that majority government on the hill and under it does not serve our citizens well. I have a much clearer understanding of my role as a crossbench member, albeit the only one. I also believe I know better how to do it.
I lack party colleagues in this place, but I have great friends in my office. We work as a team and I have had tremendous support from them through some very difficult times. As you know, Roland and I try to colour coordinate, but today we have failed. Kate has not only worked beyond her paid hours but, I am pleased to announce, this semester achieved a brilliant result—she only found out yesterday—in her university course and she should be congratulated for that. Kate got 87 in her economic policy degree. She has discovered that there are things she likes about economics after all. I am very grateful to have her expertise in my office.
Indra is very sharp very sharp and on to environmental matters between running a small business. Andrew arrived at a time when his legal expertise really came in handy, around the time that the terror laws were put on the website. In fact, it could even have been the same day. His analysis has been invaluable to me. I want to acknowledge also Claire Henderson and Sam Paige, who worked for me earlier this year. I think Mr Hargreaves might have been on the sharp end of some of Ms Paige’s comments. But she is sharp and astute and right to the point.
I also received support of a kind from my teenage daughter. She remains the major priority in my life. I thank her for her tolerance—sometimes. I will be supporting her through her transition to college next year. As for next year, I am up for it. Are you?
Valedictory
MR SESELJA (Molonglo) (5.29): I am glad to get the call before Mrs Dunne. Her contribution will no doubt be very entertaining. I will be nice and short. I will not try and match Ted. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the support staff of the Assembly. That has already been said, but I certainly express my gratitude for the assistance that they give us. Mr Mulcahy mentioned the attendants, and I would like to endorse his comments. They are particularly courteous and friendly and helpful in all the things we need. So a very big merry Christmas to you and a very big thank you for your support throughout the last year and a bit.
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