Page 4231 - Week 13 - Thursday, 14 December 2006
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Valedictory
MR STEFANIAK (Ginninderra—Leader of the Opposition) (6.13): What is an iPod, Andrew? I am certainly not in the 21st century when it comes to technology.
I firstly thank all my Liberal colleagues. It has been a difficult year and I will be delighted if I stand here in 2007 and say it has been a much less difficult year—and I will not get political and say a much more difficult year for you guys. You have had a difficult year, too, on the other side. Politics is never easy. Despite all the trials and tribulations that we have, I do not think there is a person here who did not go into politics with a view of serving the community. We serve it in various ways, from government and from opposition. It is never easy. It is a great strain on members and on long-suffering staff.
I commend and thank all the staff, the opposition staff especially but also the staff of other members in the Assembly, for the job they do on our behalf; it is quite thankless. I thank the Assembly staff, too, who are absolute professionals and always have been. Like you, Mr Speaker, I was here on day one. Like you, I had a little bit of time out but I have seen virtually all of the staff from day one. All are thorough professionals and all do a wonderful job in supporting us in a thoroughly professional, competent, timely and efficient way. To all of you, may you have a very merry, safe Christmas and come back refreshed; I certainly intend to.
To all of our families especially, my best wishes go to them. I thank my personal staff very much. It is particularly sad to be losing the services of my Chief of Staff, David Hickman, who is going back to the public service. I thank him for his time here and wish him well.
I also pay particular thanks to my family for putting up with me. It is certainly not easy on families and my family have had to put up with it longer than most. So I give thanks to my wife Shirley and to my children.
To all of you, have a merry Christmas, a safe Christmas—and I will see you all back here in February.
Valedictory
MR CORBELL (Molonglo—Attorney-General, Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Planning) (6.15): Mr Speaker, I have been asked by the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, who are unable to be here today—and I do this on my own behalf too—to express thanks and best wishes for the holiday season. Can I start with you, Mr Speaker? My best wishes to you for a safe and peaceful holiday season. Your ongoing stewardship of the very important role you play in this place I think is appreciated by all members and we would like to wish you a safe and peaceful season.
I also express my thanks and those of the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister to all the staff of the Assembly: the Clerk, Deputy Clerk, all the staff in the secretariat, including our attendants, the library staff and Hansard staff. They all perform a very
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