Page 4218 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 24 October 2017
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to use your own personal story to help others. I was not at all surprised to read in today’s paper that you will use this opportunity to highlight the growing incidence of liver cancer in our community, and maybe even hold a fundraiser. It is a reflection of your true dedication and community spirit.
When I read your background before you came into this place, I saw that it was one of a longstanding and deep commitment to Canberra. Your involvement in community groups goes back decades, with a successful career before parliamentary service and contributing to many community organisations supporting sport and especially football.
I can tell everyone that when Steve and I were part of opposing teams last year at a community soccer match at Gungahlin United, he still had a very deft touch—very nimble around a very small pitch. You certainly gave someone 30 years your junior—I am talking about Zed Seselja here—a run for his money. You were extremely gracious. I think the final score in the match was two-nil. I believe you had scored one goal; I scored the second goal. However, it was an own goal. Steve was very gracious when I contributed to his team’s win.
We met properly during the campaign of 2012. You really lived up to your reputation, as many of us have reflected on, as a true gentleman. The funny thing about being elected by your community is that at an individual level we strike up a rapport across party lines with different people. Despite the values we share with our political parties, it does not define us as human beings. At our best, we are representatives and champions elected by our communities to make a difference. On days like today, we all remember that. At our worst, I think we are viewed narrowly as politicians.
Steve always strove to be a representative, a champion and a parliamentarian and to fight—as has been told in today’s Canberra Times story; others have reflected on this—for what he called “lost causes”. They are not lost when Steve takes them on. His passion at times is quite a force. He continues to fight for these causes. In a reflection of how he brings people’s stories into the chamber, he—more frequently than any of us I think—has brought people into the chamber to hear our debates. Today is just another reflection of that.
Steve, it is an achievement to raise issues and hold governments accountable. In fact, it is essential. Thank you for your many achievements. Most recently, you fought for improvements to our legislation regarding victims of dog attacks. I think we have struck upon a way to work together to realise this achievement for you. And Steve, we will. It is one of the best features of our larger Assembly that we have the ability to work together through the committee system. You get the chance to know one another from across the political divide and work on issues that we collectively think are important, even if we disagree on the manner of achieving them.
Steve and I worked on a number of committees together. It was pretty good fun. I miss some of those committee days. I can attest to Steve’s ability to continue fighting for those lost causes behind closed doors.
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