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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2000 Week 12 Hansard (7 December) . . Page.. 3942 ..

MR HIRD (continuing):

I recall in 1995, on being elected to this place following a short stint out of politics after having been a member of the advisory body, Kate saying to me, "I have a job for you." I said, "And what's that?" She said, "The Whip." I said, "Being the Whip means nothing." She said. "Well, you've got to do a number of things and one of those things is to keep an eye on the committees." Little did I know that she was going to drop a ton of bricks on me.

Kate, as previous speakers have said, you are a true leader and it has been an honour for me not just to serve but to learn. We have not always seen eye to eye. I recall one occasion when you used a colourful term about my mates. What you said certainly did not land on deaf ears because, as you will recall, I never did it again.

Two legacies will be left by Kate. We all can slap each other on the back and say, "Good job. Well done." But to me the two legacies left by you are, firstly, your chairing of the regional forum, which identified that there was a region, that there were 300,000 people looking for leadership and guidance, and that those people were using our facilities. Just recently, Minister Moore persuaded, through a lot of arm - twisting, the Grants Commission to recognise depreciation relating to medical equipment and facilities worth something like $6 million and I congratulate the minister for doing that under your stewardship, Kate. I hope he is looking for retrospectivity on that money, too, because we can certainly do with it in the health area.

The second legacy to future generations is the international airport. The international airport is going to be something of significance to the region and certainly to the ACT. It will be significant not only in terms of jobs but also in respect of perception. We are not allowed to divulge what happens in the party room, but I remember you making a rainbow with your hand and saying, "It's a matter of perception." The fact is that there is a perception that the international airport will be of significance to the whole of this region. Well done.

I hope that you do not leave us completely. I know you will not. You will be around annoying not just me but hopefully everyone in this chamber, and in particular the Chief Minister. I know you will be there for the good of the region and the territory.

I would now like to say something about Christmas. Christmas is a joyous occasion which we look forward to. I ask the people of Canberra when they are filling their stocking to think of others and help those less fortunate than themselves. I ask them to drive carefully and to be patient. I also ask them to make visitors to our national capital feel welcome.

I would like to thank the staff of my office, of the ministerial offices and also of your secretariat, Mr Speaker. Everyone should take a well earned rest because next year is not only going to be the start of a new millennium but also an election year and, irrespective of which side of politics we are on, we are all going to have to be on the front foot. Merry Christmas to all.

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