Page 6165 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 2010
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My thanks to all the Assembly staff—Max and Janice, and their team—for their advice and support. I thank the many wonderful staff of the Assembly, Dr Sandra Lilburn, and, in particular, my committee secretary, Grace Concannon. Indeed, I thank my colleagues on the health committee, Amanda Bresnan and Mary Porter, for their contributions. It has been a pleasure to work with them. The committee has contributed some significant work this year.
Thanks also to the attendants for their support, and also for the many forms of tipping, some of which even relate to sports, I understand. While we are talking about the attendants, Peter Litchfield, I also pay tribute to you for your hard work over the last 16 years. I am going to miss you, mate. I am not quite sure who is going to be able to get all of those business cards that I need all the time. Hopefully, you will pass that on to whoever takes over from you. It has been a pleasure working with you, Peter.
Like all of my colleagues, I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with increasingly more constituents within the Brindabella electorate—with Tuggeranong residents, the Tuggeranong Community Council, the growing number of Neighbourhood Watch groups, like Calwell, Theodore, Richardson, Bonython, Chifley, Curtin and Farrer, just to name a few. I particularly enjoyed getting even more involved in the issues affecting my portfolio areas and the people of Brindabella. It is indeed appropriate to reflect at this time on the privilege we enjoy in being able to represent our Canberra community in this place, and the responsibilities that come with that representation.
I have once again enjoyed the interaction with the many groups involved in my portfolio areas, the many areas of disability, education, sport and multicultural affairs. I have met with a vast cross-section of people from all of these areas and continue to be amazed by their commitment and dedication. The more I have become involved with the disability sector and started to understand the huge unmet needs, the more I have come to admire the incredible courage and determination of the many individuals and their families who are trying to cope with various forms of disability. I would like to dedicate next year’s efforts to further highlighting and assisting the circumstances of the many children and adults with special needs in our community.
I think it is also high time that we recognised the courage, love, dedication and sheer hard work of their families and carers, for their work that never ends. I would ask that, as we prepare for this Christmas period and our various vacations, we spare a thought for the many thousands in our community who have no such luxury to look forward to.
In closing, I would like to extend my best wishes to our colleagues in the Labor Party—Mr Stanhope, Ms Gallagher, Mr Corbell, Mr Barr, Ms Burch, Mr Hargreaves and Ms Porter—and also to the Greens—Mr Rattenbury, also in his capacity as Mr Speaker, Ms Hunter, Ms Bresnan and Ms Le Couteur—for a happy and safe Christmas with your families, and may we all look forward to a great 2011.
Valedictory
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (6.07): At the end of the year, at Christmas time, it is a good time to reflect on the positive aspects of this place. It is a privilege being a representative for the people of the Capital Territory. There are many positive aspects,
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