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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (7 December) . . Page.. 3938 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

The second time I can clearly remember Kate is when she had her arm around me and giving me a bit of a hug and a rub at drinks in the Speaker's office. I learnt not to take that personally. I noticed that almost everybody had to get used to Kate being rather tactile. It was a little shock at the time, but we all learnt in one way or another to deal with that - and to enjoy it as well.

The third occasion I remember was when Kate came to my house - it is a shame Mr Kaine is not here - to talk about the fact that there was going to be a move on the then Leader of the Opposition. She had talked to her colleagues about it, and she wanted somebody from outside to discuss this issue with and ask whether she should move, because she really did not want to move on Trevor at that time. What Trevor would not understand is how difficult that decision was for her. I know he never forgave her for that, and I think she understood that that would be the case. But the nature of politics is such that when the opportunity is there you grab it and you go for it. Thank goodness you did, Kate, because you were able to contribute so much to Canberra.

The fourth time I recall is when I made my decision that I would not support Rosemary Follett for Chief Minister; I would support Kate Carnell. I had voted for Rosemary on two previous occasions, but I thought we needed somebody with more drive. That is not to undermine Rosemary Follett, who made a significant contribution to this territory in her way. I believed it was time for a change and a time for a stronger leader and a different style. Boy, did we get a different style, and I am sure Rosemary would be very happy about that too.

The next occasion I remember is a fairly public occasion when Kate reiterated what she had said on many occasions and said, "Michael, why don't you join the ministry? You know I would like you to join the ministry." I do not know why it occurred to me, but I turned and said, "Well, Kate, are you prepared to do away with cabinet solidarity?" There was an exchange of looks and the thought that maybe there was something in that. That was four or five months before the last election.

You know the outcome of that. The outcome was that Kate, having offered me the ministry of health, sat down with me and said, "Michael, there is only one thing I want to ask of you." I remember it very well, I am sure she does. She said, "The only thing I ask of you is that you be passionate." I hope I have delivered on that. I believe I have, and I will continue to do so. That was the only demand that Kate ever made on me from the time I became a minister. It was an important demand, and it is a measure of Kate that she knew what she wanted to ask. She did say, "Actually I shouldn't have said that, because I know you will be." But it was great that she asked.

The seventh thing I mention is the long process I have watched as some people attacked her personal credibility because they knew they could not win an election if they did not do that. I think that has been appalling. I have loathed it; I have hated it. I have watched what it has done to Kate. It is the lousiest thing we do in politics, and it is something I find very distressing.

Finally, in saying merry Christmas to everybody, I would like to acknowledge my daughter Heidi, who is here for the first time watching us talk in the Assembly.

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