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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 1 Hansard (13 February) . . Page.. 4 ..

MRS BURKE (continuing):

Another valuable role I can and will fulfil is that of being the eyes and ears for the government in the wider community. I will continue my active role and involvement with the many business and women's networks I have been associated with over the past 13 years.

Technology has taken, and continues to take, the world by storm. In response to this, I am excited by, and committed to, the opportunity of heading up a task force to look at matters concerning the digital divide in our community and to identify ways of helping those in our community who are socially disadvantaged and who, as a consequence, are not accessing the knowledge-based, information-based economy.

Apart from the task force, a very valuable support reference group has also been established, drawing on the expertise from all sectors of our community. More information on this matter will be released shortly. However, as a matter of courtesy, I will await any release of names until I am satisfied that all involved have received their confirmation of involvement.

Mr Speaker, I believe, as I am sure do we all, that the continued pursuit of, and striving for, excellence of governance, positive progress and high standards of service delivery are of paramount concern to us. Building on the tremendous foundations that have been laid by this Liberal government over the past six years cannot be ignored. We must not allow ourselves to become complacent or have short memories. Let us just remember where we have come from and what has been achieved to date. Canberra is now well known, both nationally and internationally, as a city of ideas, innovation and creativity.

I am proud to be a Liberal from where great ideas have emerged through their ranks throughout Australia's history. It is worthy of remembering here that in recent times Canberra owes much to Kate Carnell, who during her time in this Assembly was a great thinker and innovator and who pushed hard to ensure that Canberra took its rightful place on both the national and international stages.

As someone once said, the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra. I was brought up to believe that you always go the extra mile. As a member elected to this Assembly by the people of Molonglo, I promise to give that little extra, to go that extra mile, to ensure that I will be a vital and energetic member of the Liberal team as long as I hold this elected office.

I am delighted to be in this place as part of a bigger team, believing that I have something unique and individual to offer not only to the Liberal Party but also to the people of Canberra. I have recently been quoted as saying that I would bring a "whole lotta love" to this place. For this I make no apology.

However, Mr Speaker, the love I speak of is a strong, unconditional and compassionate love for and towards other people. It never gives up, cares more for others than for self, does not want what it does not have, does not strut, does not have a swelled head, does not force itself on others, is not always "me first", does not fly off the handle, does not keep score of the sins of others, does not revel when others grovel, takes pleasure in the flowering of the truth, puts up with anything, trusts God always, always looks for the best, never looks back but keeps going to the end.

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