Page 305 - Week 01 - Thursday, 15 December 2016

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doing? First, I think we need to do something very simple: we need to listen more; not just this government, but all governments. People feel increasingly isolated from their governments and from their communities. This is a problem generally, but it is especially a problem for Labor.

For Labor to be successful, we need people to have faith in our system. We need people to have faith in government’s ability to address society’s problems. I believe fundamentally that government is a force for good. But it is not about what I believe; it is about what our community believes. My campaign was based on that simple idea: if you want to understand the problems people face in our community, you should listen to them, and if you want people to support you and your ideas, you should talk to them.

In closing, I wish to thank a few more people. Josh, your dedication was unquestionable; Patrick, you understood what this campaign was about when many could not; Luke, your enthusiasm inspired me to keep going; Sam, you were unwavering and tireless. To my colleagues in the CFMEU who understood the challenges I faced and provided many laughs along the way; to Dean and Jason for believing; particularly to Zach, you had faith when many did not; to my good friend, Michael, for enduring alongside me; and to the countless individuals who contributed to the campaign, I want to say thank you. There are too many to list here today but I hope you have seen my appreciation in some way, and I will never forget what you have done.

My campaign was never about me; it was the culmination of a group of passionate people who believed that making politics local and personal again is what would deliver ACT Labor a record-setting fifth term. They did it not for the history books but for a progressive government who will fight for those in the community who cannot fight for themselves. Finally, I wish to thank the people of Yerrabi for placing their faith in me. I won't let you down.

MS ORR (Yerrabi) (4.49), by leave: I would like to start by acknowledging that we meet on the land of the Ngunnawal people, and pay my respects to their elders, both past and present. It is an immense honour to be elected, and I would like to thank the people of Yerrabi for placing their confidence in me. I look forward to working with you over the next four years to represent our wonderful part of the ACT.

Madam Speaker, if you had asked me when I was younger if I saw myself as a politician, I would have said no. Because of this, I never planned my life around becoming a politician. I grew up in Giralang playing cricket with my neighbours in our cul-de-sac and going to brownies at the Giralang Primary School hall. My first job was at Sizzler in Belconnen, and it marked the start of a 10-year career in hospitality and tourism. It is an industry I loved being a part of, but it is also where I first realised we have a way to go in making sure that all workers are treated fairly.

As a mature-age student, and much to the delight of my parents, I finally completed university, and along with my cousins I became part of the first generation in my father’s family to be university educated. After completing my master’s I began a career as an urban planner. I recently bought my first home in Franklin. And after a


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