Page 2900 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 12 October 2022
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The Clerk having announced that the terms of the petition would be recorded in Hansard and a copy referred to the appropriate minister for response pursuant to standing order 100, the petition was received.
Motion to take note of petition
MADAM SPEAKER: Pursuant to standing order 98A, I propose the question:
That the petition so lodged be noted.
Shepherds Lookout——Brontë Haskins tribute—petition 33-22
MR CAIN (Ginninderra) (10.02): The petition I bring to the attention of this Assembly today honours a beloved daughter, sister and friend, Brontë Eloise Haskins, who was affectionately known as Poppy to those closest to her.
I have lodged a petition of 234 signatures. I seek leave to table an out-of-order petition containing 362 out-of-order signatures in similar terms.
Leave granted.
MR CAIN: I table:
Petition which does not conform with the standing orders—Shepherds Lookout—The Brontë Haskins memorial bench—Mr Cain (342 signatures).
In total, these petitions attracted the signatures of almost 600 Australians, mostly Canberrans. Of this, 234 signatures are in order with an extra 22 signed from outside the ACT and 342 signatures out of order.
It is my great honour to be entrusted by Brontë’s parents, Ms Janine Haskins and Mr Peter McLaren, with telling the story of Brontë here today. I acknowledge Janine and Peter in the gallery. Thank you for entrusting me with this story. I advocate on their behalf in remembering and paying tribute to Brontë’s life. This is a very emotional and special subject for them, and indeed for me, and I want to thank them for connecting with me on this very, very important issue.
Brontë Eloise Haskins tragically passed away in 2020 at the age of just 23 while experiencing significant mental health and substance issues in her short life. The petition I bring to your attention proposes a park bench memorial erected in Brontë’s memory at her favourite place to just be, Shepherds Lookout in Strathnairn. Shepherds Lookout was the one place that provided her with a sense of peace and respite to escape the struggles of her life. Today Brontë’s family now feels the same sense of tranquillity when they visit Shepherds Lookout, a place to reflect on the beauty of nature and Brontë’s memory. It was my honour to accompany them on one of these visits.
Brontë was an active member of the community and a spirited lover of animals. She was prolific in fostering and rehoming dogs, including creatively named Allan, an important part of the Haskins family and a legacy of Brontë. She saved lives as well.
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