Page 1347 - Week 05 - Thursday, 26 April 1990
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Whatever one may say about Mr Whalan, life is certainly not dull when he is around; there is no doubt about that. This was very quickly made clear to us during the early days of the advisory committee and even during the long hours that we spent during the Estimates Committee. As chairman of that committee, I know that Mr Whalan spent more hours in front of that committee than any other Minister, and that was due to his extensive role and responsibility in government. I do not think there is any doubt that Mr Whalan put every effort that he could into his role as Deputy Chief Minister and the areas of education, industry and development, and other areas like that.
I, personally, will miss the cut and thrust of Mr Whalan's role in this Assembly. I have always maintained that, when we finally came into government and Mr Whalan went into opposition, I knew damned well that Mr Whalan would be keeping us very well and truly on our toes. From that point of view I am sorry to see him go. I trust and hope that his replacement will do likewise. In closing I would like to thank Mr Whalan for his participation in the Assembly and to wish him well in his future career.
MR DUBY (Minister for Finance and Urban Services), by leave: Mr Speaker, I shall not dwell long on the subject. I think it is fairly apparent, from the words that have been spoken by members on this side of the Assembly, that Mr Whalan is going to be missed. The history of self-government in the ACT has got his name on it, and in that regard he will long be remembered. I, personally, will miss Mr Whalan. I have always appreciated Paul's frank, forthright manner of dealing with things. Whilst, as others have said, I am from a professional point of view not all that sad to see him go, from a personal point of view I shall miss him. Good luck with your endeavours, Paul, and we wish you well.
MS MAHER, by leave: Mr Speaker, I would just like to say that the last year has been a huge learning curve for me, and Mr Paul Whalan has been a significant part of that learning curve. I thank him for that and I would like to wish him well in his future.
MR MOORE, by leave: I think the contribution that I have noted, particularly from the crossbenches, that Mr Whalan has made is in some ways best summed up by referring to the fact that he was anything but a "Yes, Minister" Minister. I think that is something that several Ministers in the current Government could learn from him. There are appropriate times to question the department and, where appropriate, to overrule it. I know of several occasions when Mr Whalan has done this and has made the decisions out on his own, putting his own neck on the line. I think this is something that does not happen often enough and it is a lesson that could well be learnt from him.
For my part in the muddying of his name I apologise, as I have personally, but I apologise publicly. In speaking of
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