Page 4854 - Week 15 - Thursday, 8 December 1994
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Valedictory
MR BERRY (Manager of Government Business) (5.37), in reply: On this last day of sitting I rise to speak on behalf of Government members. This Assembly has been, in the true spirit of parliamentary democracy, a quite adversarial one. It has been one with some highs and lows. I think that, from the Labor Government's point of view, we have deserved most of the highs and the rest of you have deserved most of the lows. This has been a system where the community has had the opportunity to see the differences. We all know that we were not welcomed by the community for a long time, but I think that after six years, save for a couple of events in recent weeks, we have been able to present this place as a credible parliamentary government here in the ACT. I think we have a credible government with established and responsible policies. I have to say, having had some experience throughout these Assemblies in opposition, in government and on the back bench, that we are now headed by a group of Ministers who work harder than I could have ever imagined. I think it will take a while for the credibility of the Executive, of the ACT Government, to be really recognised by the community; but next time, maybe.
I think that this time we saw some personality politics in the place. It is pretty hard to avoid in an Assembly which is so face to face. I think that some of the decisions that have been made on the basis of personalities have been rather disappointing. They have marred a pretty good performance overall, I think. Happily, this Assembly has not been marred by the instability of the First Assembly; nevertheless it has been unstable. That is the nature of minority governments. There is a little unfairness in that, I think, from any perspective. People who hold the balance of power exert more influence over government affairs than the vote that they have received in the community would warrant. But that is the nature of things, and governments learn to cope, as do oppositions, and it has been a very interesting process to participate in.
One of the constants in both of the Assemblies has been the Assembly staff. Throughout what some people might describe as the shenanigans, they have always been courteous, respectful, dedicated and professional. I have not seen one example where that could not be said. I would even go so far as to say that they have been long-suffering. I think they deserve all of our support because without them we could not have achieved the law-making that has gone on in this place; and, even though we might have very distinct differences about the value of those laws and the process through which we went to get there, the people who have helped us get there are deserving of our greatest respect, and of the community's. It would also be fair to say that they have set an example for us all with their tolerance, dedication, courteousness and respect. To Mark McRae and his staff, congratulations. To the Secretariat staff, the attendants, the committee staff, the Hansard staff, all of those people, heartfelt thanks from us all. I look forward next year to be working with you as part of a Labor majority government.
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