Page 3967 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008
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committee. That is the strength of the system. That has always actually been the case with our committee system, and long may it be so. That way, you end up with good decisions which will stand the test of time.
Ms MacDonald: But you did not enjoy it when you were a minister.
MR STEFANIAK: No; I have already said that, Karin, in relation to Kerrie Tucker, who was absolutely forensic on the committee. I appreciated all the committee work there and that is one of the things I will miss.
I have had some very good colleagues to work with over the years. It was always great to go out and have a beer with the likes of Harold Hird, Robyn Nolan, the late Trevor Kaine, Greg Cornwell, John Hargreaves, Craig Duby and a few others, and that is across the political spectrum. We were at each other’s throats, but we are all here ultimately for the same purpose, even though we might come at it from different political angles, and that is trying our best to help the people of Canberra.
It has been an honour to represent the electorate of Ginninderra. As I said several days ago, my greatest regret is not being able to represent the fantastic people of Belconnen and Nicholls, who I have had the honour and privilege of representing for many years. I am delighted to have been instrumental in delivering things like the Belconnen pool, the William Hovell Drive extension and the Belconnen Community Centre theatre, which hopefully will be replaced by a nice big theatre down by the lake in the not-too-distant future. I am pleased to have paved the streets of Hall and fixed up their showground and oval and to have renovated the tennis court at the school, which unfortunately is now closed.
It has been great to share the role with my Liberal parliamentary colleagues, Harold Hird and, in the last two assemblies, Vicki Dunne. Harold was a great worker in his constituency, a bloke who brought a lot of experience and who exuded bonhomie. Vicki is excellent with her constituents. She comes up with some fantastic ideas—great policy. I found that both of my colleagues in Ginninderra had a different but great sense of humour. I have been happy to share a laugh over a number of things with Vicki and Harold over the years I have had the privilege of working with them. Vicki, I think you will make a very able minister in a Liberal government, which hopefully will be elected later this year, and I acknowledge your passion for education and environmental issues especially.
To my current colleagues, I wish you all the very best of luck, especially my Liberal colleagues. I have been particularly impressed with the way the team has worked together over the last year or so. I have been particularly impressed with the drive, the leadership and the ideas shown by Zed Seselja. Zed, all the best of luck to you in the election; it has been a pleasure working with you over the four years in this Assembly. To you, Brendan, and to Jacqui and Steve: it has been a great pleasure. I look forward to seeing the election. I also thank the Liberal Party organisational side, the people who have helped me in the past. I acknowledge Brian Anderson here in the Assembly as well. There is a great team. Some of the best organisation that I have seen in recent months has come from some people on the organisational side, which will augur well and hold you in good stead in the months to come.
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