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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3888 ..

MR HIRD: Captain Smith was the captain of the Titanic. You are never going down. These 31/2 years have been very interesting. I thank all the members of all the committees. On occasions I got away with more than I should have in committee work because I was on so many of them. I remember saying to our friend Mr Kaine, who left me with all these committees as tasks, "What have you done to me?" He replied, "You will be better for it." Now I know what he meant. I am the member for committees.

On a serious note, committee work is the backbone of this place. The committees do a lot of work. They interface with the community and with the various community organisations. That is where the rapport is established. One of the unique features of this place is that we traverse both local and state matters. That is a very worthy new procedure developed by this parliament. One could say that this parliament serves not only the people of Canberra but also serves certain areas in the south-east region of New South Wales.

I would like to thank my opposition equal, Mr Corbell, the opposition whip. It has been a delight to work with him. As a matter of fact, it has been a delight to work with all the staffs and all the members. When we have had difficult times or a family crisis and we needed to bend the rules a bit, or to get something through very quickly, we have been able to achieve our goal. I agree with Mr Wood; I think this place does work in a positive manner when it needs to work.

I would like to thank in particular Rod Power and the staff of the Standing Committee on Planning and Urban Service, and also Minister Smyth. Minister, your departmental people have assisted me in making that job much easier. I would like to thank the Hansard personnel and all those in the building who have assisted us, and in particular Barry, the building manager. Mr Kaine referred to the friendly staff and attendants. They had a problem here one evening when the Chief Minister knocked over a glass of water. When she turned around I made some comment, and she said, "Well, I anointed you." The staff came and cleaned it up, but I was wet for the occasion. That just shows you how they work and how things can happen.

Mr Kaine: Who threw the glass of water?

MR HIRD: Well, I did say that, Mr Kaine. As has been said, I wish you well for the coming election. An election is not easy, as we all know, but give it your best shot. If you believe in what you are doing, go for it. I would like to thank my staff, Dominique, my son Mark, and Tracy. I agree with the Leader of the Opposition, Jon, that we do not have enough resources. I share that view with him, and if he gets into government I will be looking for some better resources.

Mr Quinlan: Come and see us.

MR HIRD: I will be there. I will come down from the Commonwealth Club, Mr Quinlan.

In closing, I would like to thank my family, who have always been with me. They believe that I would have made a lot more money from my calling in private enterprise rather than-

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