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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3892 ..

MR RUGENDYKE (continuing):

I thank my old mate Oz. I came into this place 31/2 years ago. He was a footballer and he was able to teach me two things-how to count to nine and how to get my ties to the right length. So thanks, Oz.

One thing that has impressed me about this place, and none of us have any idea of what to expect, is the camaraderie that can be generated here. We see the argy-bargy that happens in the chamber, and we also see the camaraderie and the friendship that we all enjoy as colleagues and workmates in the corridors. That reminded me of the old cartoon about the sheepdog and the wolf. The sheepdog guards the sheep during the day and they clock on and off at the bundy on the way home, saying, "Goodnight, Ralph." It really has been a thrill and a privilege to be able to serve in this place. I look forward to the election and hope to be lucky enough to come back for more of it. I was trying to think of an analogy for Fawlty Towers, but I suppose things do go wrong occasionally, and that might be it. But thanks everybody, for your friendship, for your camaraderie, for the work we do together in committees and in this place. It has been a real buzz. Thank you.

Valedictory

MR OSBORNE (11.36): I, too, would like to thank my staff. I worked out six years ago that David Moore was the brains in my office and he has been a rock for me. The most important thing you need in here, I think, is loyalty from your staff, and I have been truly blessed in having Dave. I would like to thank Bevo as well. He came here with Dave and I have seen Bevo develop. He got married, he has got fatter, he has lost hair. He has been terrific.

Mr Moore: He will look like Dave shortly.

MR OSBORNE: He is looking like me. I would like to thank Dave for his friendship as well. I give him a hard time, but I do not know a nicer bloke, really, someone who has a purer heart. I want to thank you for your friendship, mate, and for your loyalty. I want to publicly apologise for all those times I got cranky at you upstairs, too. It's so pathetic, really. It's like those terrible hunters who used to get those defenceless seals. That's what it's like when I abuse him, because he just sits there and takes it.

Mr Rugendyke: You know the apology? This is the apology.

MR OSBORNE: I just want to apologise.

There are some other people I would like to thank: the Labor members I have worked with; Jon, in the committee, who gets angry and blames me for everything, but he has been good to work with; and especially Wayne and Sue for the work that you guys have done with our office. I would like to thank Kerrie for making me think. I still think she is crazy about a lot of things, but I think I have improved as a politician because Kerrie has made me think, so I want to thank her.

I thank all the secretariat.

I, too, would like to thank my family. Mr Moore was talking about his son starting school. I only had two kids when I came in here. I now have six. Sally is talking about seven. I will tell you what I have enjoyed the most, in a sick sort of way, Mr Speaker.

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