Page 5318 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 29 November 2017

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There are an enormous number people who helped me to be an effective local member. I would particularly like to acknowledge everyone within the Office of the Legislative Assembly for their support and for fielding my weird and wonderful questions. I especially wish Max all the best in his retirement.

Thank you to my colleagues throughout this chamber for working largely collegiately and making it an interesting place, especially in committees. I also single out my fellow whips and you, Madam Speaker. Clearly, I have spent too much time with you all, as I have grown rather fond of everyone.

To my staff, Maddie, Josh, Minuri, Jemma, intern Jacob and work experience student Andrew, you are the brains and the patience behind the Tara Cheyne operation. You really do make all the difference. I could not ask for a better or more supportive team. For you to have had my back throughout this year has meant the world.

Finally, thank you to the constituents of Ginninderra. As I said in my inaugural speech, it is enormously humbling to be a representative of the home I love so much in the city I love so much. It remains an honour and a privilege to be here, and there is more work to do.

Valedictory

MR WALL (Brindabella) (6.54): This time of year is often a time for reflection on the year that has been, particularly as the Christmas and new year season approaches. It has been an absolute privilege to be part of not just this place but this team over the past 12 months. As the whip I have had an active role, particularly with the four new members that have joined the Liberal Party since the last election. I have watched them grow into very capable, independent members of the Assembly. That has been one of the greater joys of my job this year.

As is often the case after an election, I have had a number of new responsibilities and new opportunities, including chairing estimates this year. Spending two weeks in close confines with four other members and the committee secretary provides a good account of who you are working with and who they are as people, and that was a very rewarding process this year, believe it or not. I have to offer thanks to the committee secretariat, particularly Nicola Kosseck, who did an exemplary job again this year in managing the secretarial duties of the estimates committee.

Likewise, I thank all the other staff I have had contact with in my role as the whip, particularly OLA and the chamber support staff. It seems that if Ms Cheyne is starting to grow ever so slightly fond of me, I have not done my job well enough this year. We will see how we go next year. That is evidence that this place can work very well outside of this chamber. Whilst this is often the hand-to-hand combat space, when we walk out of the chamber a level of professional respect and courtesy is extended to allow this place to function in the way it needs to.

Thanks to my staff, particularly Kate Davis, who saw fit to sign up for another term of duty with me after being my senior adviser for all of the Eighth Assembly. I am very


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