Page 2309 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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possible and their hard work and big hearts have more than compensated for their lack of political experience before I asked them to come and help me serve the people of Belconnen. Just last Friday one of them spoke with an older resident who did not have heating. On his way home from the office he dropped off the electric heater he has been using to keep himself warm in our office, because it is very cold.
I am very grateful that Canberrans know my office is a safe and effective place to seek help. Over the past four years I have spoken with hundreds of ACT residents who are desperate for assistance. I have listened to them and cried with them many, many times. I have personally delivered food and other necessities to their homes, and I have done my very best to seek redress from this government. I sincerely wish to thank each minister who has responded to my representations with respect and genuine concern. Together we have been able to help dozens of families and individuals.
Lastly, I thank my Liberal colleagues. It has been a pleasure to be part of such a diverse, capable and genuinely amazing team. Their love of this city and their commitment to the wellbeing of all Canberrans are unmatchable. I thank them for mentoring me and respecting me as an individual who is just growing and learning so much from them.
I am grateful for the unified leadership of the opposition leader, Alistair Coe, and deputy leader, Nicole Lawder, and for the passion and capacity of my fellow Liberal MLAs: Jeremy, Giulia, Vicki, Elizabeth, James, Mark and Candice. The groundswell of support from the everyday Canberrans whom I meet each week has made this a very good time to be one of the Canberra Liberals.
It is with both sadness and deep fondness that I take this opportunity to bid farewell to Vicki Dunne. It has been a privilege to serve alongside Vicki in the Ginninderra electorate. I have loved our mobile offices together and our community barbecues. To me, she is an angel dressed up as a politician on earth. She is a skilful politician, an ardent advocate for the territory’s most vulnerable, a mentor, an example and a dear friend. Whilst our personal association will continue, her absence from this place will be acutely felt.
Lastly, I sincerely wish those opposite all the best for the campaign season. We look forward to having a robust opposition to keep a Liberal government laser-focused on what the people of this territory need most.
MS BERRY (Ginninderra—Deputy Chief Minister, Minister for Education and Early Childhood Development, Minister for Housing and Suburban Development, Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Minister for Women) (7.51): I begin by thanking my friends, and my neighbours in the electorate of Ginninderra who bring my bins in and mow my lawns when it just gets beyond my ability. To all of the residents in Ginninderra, I have been so happy to represent you in this place.
To all the staff in my office over the last four years—Josh, Steve, Tom, Jess, Grace, Bec, Megs, Karen, Angie, Jared, Gabriella, Abby and especially Brooke—you have
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