Page 4219 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 24 October 2017

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Thank you for sharing your personal story today. It is personal, and one that must have been hard for you to reveal. But I know how important it is for you to make a contribution wherever you can in whatever circumstances. It will make a difference. Even if one person with Type 2 Diabetes gets a scan that picks up the disease earlier, you will have made a big difference—and I think it will be many more than that.

I wish you and your family all the very best over the coming months. You always talk about them and you are so proud of them. We all know what an impact this life has on our families: how we simply could not do our jobs without our families; how much they contribute; and how much, through us, they live this life as well. Thank you Steve; go well.

MS ORR (Yerrabi) (11.40), by leave: Starting a new job is always a nerve-racking experience. Coming into this place was no exception. In particular, the prospect of working with those opposite on committees was a bit of an unknown. None of us was really sure how personalities would mesh and how it would all play out.

I have to say I got lucky. Working with Steve on the environment and transport and city services committee has been a pleasure. Right from day one, Steve has worked collaboratively with his first-time committee colleagues, often mentoring us as we learned the ropes. He was the most experienced person on the committee, but he never took advantage of the fact he had been around a bit longer and, by default, knew a bit more than we, as fresh faces, did. He took opportunities to share advice when needed or provide encouragement when he could tell we might be second guessing ourselves even just a little, and usually on a matter of process.

This is not to say that Steve has not done his job as an opposition MLA. I will never forget when, at the end of the first day chairing an annual reports hearing, Steve lent over to me and said, “Sorry for giving you a bit of grief, but you handled it well.” And I think that goes to the heart of what I have come to appreciate Steve to be—a dedicated MLA who goes about his work, but always in a manner that reflects the gentleman that he is.

In those first days when we were all wondering what it would be like working in the Assembly alongside those of a different political stripe, I never thought I would be standing here speaking glowingly about a colleague opposite. But I am, and we have all heard the reasons why today. Steve, it has been an absolute pleasure to work with you. I thank you for the lessons that you have imparted to me.

Sitting suspended from 11.45 am to 2.30 pm.

Questions without notice

Land—block 24, city

MR COE: My question is to the Chief Minister regarding a brief that he signed on 7 November 2015 about the casino redevelopment. In that brief the Chief Minister double-ticked the recommendation for community consultation, considering it to be essential to address “in particular concerns by residents affected by Acquis’ rights to


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