Page10 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 3 November 2020
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Whilst we acknowledge that there will be yet another Labor-Greens government, I take them at their word on this: that ideas and initiatives put forward by the Canberra Liberals deserve to be judged on their merits and not dismissed because they were started by us.
We, as the opposition, have an important job to do in keeping the government to account: to fiercely protect the integrity of government, the proper use of taxpayer moneys, and the transparency and accountability of all government decisions. We will look at every government decision and initiative on its merits and whether it is in the best interests of the Canberra community.
Madam Speaker, in my inaugural speech four years ago, I said that, whilst it is a given that I give my voice to the most vulnerable in our community, those that our society has a moral duty to protect and support, there are the forgotten Canberrans that 19 years of this government have left behind. The Canberra Liberals will unapologetically and unashamedly continue to stand up for and give voice to those Canberrans.
We acknowledge and thank the thousands of Canberrans who have put their faith in us at this year’s election and shed the same tears that we could not quite make it across to the other side of the chamber. These are the hardworking everyday Canberrans who for years have felt abandoned and voiceless. We also acknowledge the voices of Canberrans who did not vote for us. Their voices spoke loudly, and we will listen to and be here for them, too.
Madam Speaker, none of us would be here today without the enormous support network that carries us. I thank all the volunteers and family members who were there for each and every one of us. I also acknowledge our staff, who move mountains each and every day because they believe in us.
A little closer to home, Nathan, thank you for being my rock through two whirlwind campaigns and the heartbreak of experiencing a miscarriage before we welcomed our beautiful daughter, Mia. Most of all, thank you for being my number one supporter when I decided to take on this craziest and most humbling of challenges in leading the party.
My parents and sisters have already sacrificed much so that I could reach for my dreams. Every time I think that I cannot ask any more of them, they somehow manage to find room in their hearts to give more. I am sure that in my parents’ eyes I am still the seven-year-old Korean girl from Kwangju with no English who held tightly onto their hands as we embarked on this new life in Australia—the little girl who, in turn, tightly held onto her younger sister’s hand because somehow we knew that, as scary as it was going to a new country and leaving our home, it was all going to be worth it, because this new life was going to be something amazing.
Madam Speaker, when I was elected by my colleagues to be the leader of our party, my dad told me, “You are a leader. Whether you like it or not, what you say and what you do will matter. Always listen; then see; then feel. You must do this—listen, see, feel—before you speak.” Today I embark on this privileged duty that I have to serve
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