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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3889 ..

Mr Osborne: As a male model or what?

MR HIRD: Rather than playing politics or trying to outwit dumb footballers. I will leave this place on this occasion with my memories, and if I am not returned I will cherish them for the rest of my life. I will rise to the occasion on 20 October, and I wish each and every member in this place the best of luck. I would like to see you here next time around. I am about to sit down. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for your expertise as the presiding officer, but I would like to see the old-timer back again, just to annoy you. Work out who that is, Mr Kaine.

Valedictory

MR CORBELL (11.23) Mr Speaker, I think the past 31/2 years for me in this Assembly have been the most challenging of my life, both personally and politically. I want to thank, first and foremost, the electors of Molonglo for giving me the great honour of being able to be a member of this place, and I hope I can earn their endorsement again.

I want also to acknowledge the overwhelming commitment and support of my own family, my partner Nelida, who, like all partners of members in this place, puts up with a lot, especially on nights like this. I also want to acknowledge her particular commitment with the arrival of our first child, Henry, 21/2 years ago. I found the challenges of being a new father and being a relatively new member extraordinary at times; nevertheless, I thank her for her commitment, and I look forward to the opportunity of being a father again in a short time.

Mr Speaker, I also want to acknowledge my Assembly colleagues, the other members of the Labor caucus. I have tried to find an opportunity of saying something to them and tonight I have the opportunity. I wanted to let them know that I am very proud to be the third longest serving Labor member in this place. That is nowhere near as long as Mr Berry or Mr Wood, but nevertheless I am the third longest serving Labor member in this place. That perhaps is a unique title that I would like to enhance. Seriously, the support, encouragement and guidance of my colleagues has been greatly appreciated.

I also thank the members of my staff for their continued support and guidance over the past three years. I look forward to working with them in the future, as I do to working with all the Labor staff. I think they do an extraordinary job in extraordinary circumstances.

Mr Speaker, I thank the other members of the Planning and Urban Services Committee who I have had the experience of serving with, Mr Hird and Mr Rugendyke. Some experiences on committee trips perhaps are best left where they were, on committee trips, but nevertheless I thank them for the opportunity of serving on that very interesting and challenging committee.

I thank all the other members of the Assembly. I have enjoyed working with each and every one of you. As someone who was relatively young when self-government came to the ACT, it was an interesting experience when I first arrived in this place to deal with people I had only seen in the newspaper or on television. All of a sudden to be dealing with them face to face was an eye-opener in more ways than one, but it is something which I have always enjoyed and continue to enjoy.

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