Page 4003 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 1 December 2021
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To my other Assembly colleagues from Labor and the Greens, thank you for the work that you do in serving our community and, whilst we will always have disagreements, I am very proud of the work we have been able to do together to serve the people of Canberra.
This year we had a few changes of staffing in my office. I thank Sue and Liam, who went above and beyond and were certainly my rocks when I took on the role of leader. They have both now moved on to bigger and better roles and I have no doubt that they are kicking goals where they are.
To my current team—Lisa, Dean, Paddy, Georgia, Brendan, Albert, Anastasiya—I spend more time with you than I do with my own family. Through all the ups and downs that come with being in the office of the Leader of the Opposition, you have demonstrated time and time again your commitment to not only supporting me to do what I do but to serving the people of Canberra.
To the leadership team at the Canberra Liberals—Josh, Ian, John, Kieran and, of course, Amanda and Tamara—thank you for your support and belief in me, for everything that you do to keep the Liberal voice strong in our community.
To my parents, John and Cecilia, and my sisters, Rosa and Sarah, who have been there for me from the day I had the crazy idea of perhaps putting my hand up to be a parliamentarian—they have weathered the emotional storm of life and leadership and, whilst the challenges of COVID meant that we were not able to see each other as often as we would like—their hearts have held and will always hold a very dear place and I would not be where I am today without them.
To Nathan and Mia, my beautiful family, they have never known life without politics. Whilst it is a tough gig being the Leader of the Opposition, I think it is an even tougher gig being the family of the Leader of the Opposition. So for all the sacrifices they have made, and continue to make, I owe them my deepest gratitude, my love and my respect.
Nathan, thank you for your unconditional love and support. I know I am not the easiest person to live with—I admit that—and you take a load greater than most. Whilst I do not always show it or say it, know that I respect, value and love you deeply.
My Mia, my feisty, sassy, amazing, Mia, you bring me more joy and pride than I knew was possible. Each night that I am not able to put you to bed or each morning that I am gone before you open your eyes, know that I am doing everything I can to make this world a better place for you, because you deserve nothing less.
To the people of Kurrajong, who continue to put their faith and trust in me to be their voice, thank you and know that I am here for and because of you. It is an enormous privilege to serve you.
Merry Christmas to everyone. I look forward to another productive and, more importantly, virus-free 2022.
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