Page198 - Week 01 - Thursday, 3 December 2020
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better engage students. I hope that a poverty inquiry is initiated so that we can better understand the extent of this hidden challenge. I hope that the cost of living does not price people out of this city. There is much to do.
I am proud of the Liberal Party. I joined the party 20 years ago, and the federal party has a great story to tell. But, as I regularly say, nobody gets into politics to be in opposition. It is a slog. To speak out as a Liberal in Canberra is countercultural. It is often very intimidating for Liberal-minded people in Canberra to stand up against trends or the most vocal. I do not think it is fair that some people are shunted to the fringes if they have a view that is not in keeping with the intelligentsia or the outspoken.
I thank my family. To my parents, Maurice and Barbara, thank you for the default “yes” for every request I have ever made, whether it was babysitting, letterboxing, editing or the multitude of other tasks. I know that my parents often felt every bump along the road more than I did. To my parents-in-law, thank you to Gerry and Karen. They have been a tremendous support to our family. As I said on election night, the grandparents of Canberra do a huge amount of heavy lifting. Thank you.
To my beautiful kids, Angus and Annabelle, thank you for providing so much joy and love in my life. My being out night after night was the norm for them but in recent weeks I have enjoyed spending much more time with them and I will work towards that being the new norm. Angus and Annabel, I am proud of who you are and I look forward to continuing to admire you as you grow and learn.
Of course, it is to Yasmin that I owe the most thanks. With love, dedication and humility, she has done so much. Much of it I will never know. In addition to being a very capable professional and running a growing business, she is an exceptional mum, friend and companion. Thank you for all that you do. I will strive to support you in the same way that you have supported me. I wish all a merry Christmas.
Valedictory
MR GENTLEMAN (Brindabella—Manager of Government Business, Minister for Corrections, Minister for Industrial Relations and Workplace Safety, Minister for Planning and Land Management and Minister for Police and Emergency Services) (4.38): In the festive adjournment debate of the last Assembly, I remarked on how we had worked hard to make Tuggeranong an even better place than it was four years before. I am honoured to be back here again with you, having again earned the trust of our fellow south-siders to keep delivering for the best place in Canberra to live.
As we head towards the holiday season, I want to thank the hardworking staff of the ACT public service, especially given the tumultuous year we have had to date. Thank you to the thousands of people who, despite the uncertainty of this year, have worked harder than ever to support Canberrans and our community. I thank the nurses, cleaners, teachers, garbage truck drivers, police, firefighters and so many others who, throughout the public health emergency, worked harder than ever to protect and save their communities. Many of these people will be continuing to work hard over the Christmas period. I thank them for their service and for this sacrifice.
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