Page 4257 - Week 13 - Thursday, 27 November 2014

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Can I just say this on behalf of the Assembly: Ray, we will miss you. On behalf of all in this place, all its members and all the staff of the Office of the Legislative Assembly, I extend thanks to Ray Blundell for his services. We wish him well and all the best in his retirement. I understand that there is a morning tea coming up; Ray has been metaphorically put in a full nelson and will be frogmarched to a morning tea. I hope that members will join there to more informally wish Ray well—a long-serving member of this Assembly. I wish you well.

Valedictory

MADAM SPEAKER: Before I call the minister, I will kick off the festive greetings, although I have been accused of being a grinch. I tend to be a little uncomfortable about festive greetings and putting up Christmas decorations before the first Sunday of Advent, which is next week, because, remember, Christmas lasts well into January and we do not want to have Christmas fatigue too early.

Christmas is a fantastic season for getting together, giving thanks for the year and joining with families. I wish all members of this place well, and their friends and families, and all the staff. I thank the staff in particular for their professionalism. I thank members, who, for the most part, have been compliant. Perhaps Mr Hanson is not quite so compliant; I have to do the mother stare a fair bit. Perhaps he will get better. Perhaps he will get a Christmas present of more compliance.

Mr Coe: On a point of order, Madam Speaker, is that a reflection on Mr Hanson’s character?

MADAM SPEAKER: No, it is not a reflection on Mr Hanson’s character; it is a reflection on my need to give him the mother stare.

To all members, I thank you for your cooperation and your professionalism. I hope that you take the opportunity that comes from this extended period to take leave, to regroup, re-energise and have a great time. I hope that we will be back regrouped and re-energised in 2015.

Adjournment

Motion by Mr Corbell proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Valedictory

MS GALLAGHER (Molonglo—Chief Minister, Minister for Health, Minister for Higher Education and Minister for Regional Development) (6.15): I will make a few comments at this final full sitting of the Assembly to pass on my thanks to the Assembly staff, and in particular to Ray. I was a little worried when I heard about Ray Blundell’s retirement. With his soldering iron, the spare parts that he has been fixing in this place over the last few years and his compendium of technical skills for repair


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