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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2001 Week 10 Hansard (30 August) . . Page.. 3894 ..

MRS BURKE (continuing):

I would like to thank the Secretariat for all the magnificent work that is done there-Mark McRae, Judith Henderson and David Skinner-and my colleagues on the committees, Wayne, Kerrie, Bill and Dave. We went on a trip to Melbourne and I thought I was going to be the one talking too much, but I couldn't shut Wayne up.

I thank my Liberal Party colleagues. I thank the Chief Minister. He is like Big Brother, but all of you are like big brother, but smaller. I would like to thank you all for your brotherly love-I will put it that way-because you have been long-suffering, patient, kind and very gentle, but I know the honeymoon is over. I would like to thank Brendan for the lollies, Harold for the jokes and Michael for being a constant explainer of standing orders. I do appreciate that, and it is good advice, Paul.

I would really like to thank my staff to this point in time. We hit the boards running girls, but hey, what a go we gave them. Megan, you are an inspiration to me. At 22, I wish you every success. You are going to go far, young girl. I will work hard to ensure that we can build on our small but very effective and very efficient team after 20 October. I think we also may need to look at the gender balance.

I would like to thank my daughter and son-in-law for making me a grandmother. I don't quite know what it is like to have sleepless nights, Simon, but maybe I've got the pleasure to come of having sleepless nights when we get to have the baby more.

I want to thank all the members of the opposition. This is serious; this is true. I have often felt like a police horse in training which is often subjected to a barrage of noise and distractions to prove itself for duty. Well, I honestly mean this. Please take it as it is said. You have certainly helped me in my training for public and political life. I thank you for that because it's been a proving and a testing and I really appreciate your experience. When the barrages come I hope I've done you proud.

Mr Quinlan: We are here to help.

Mr Hargreaves: It's been our pleasure.

MRS BURKE: What? I would like to thank Dave for his calming influence and Ossie for declaring himself as my self-appointed prophet the other day. Thanks Paul. As the only other female member I would like to thank Kerrie Tucker. Thanks Kerrie. We may often have diametrically opposing political views as politicians but I believe that as human beings we do share a compassionate spirit for all of God's creation. Thank you.

Finally, thanks to my husband who is fast learning what it is to be married to a politician. I will leave that there. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here in this Fourth Assembly. Should the people of the ACT choose to place me in this place once more I will be happy to serve them to the best of my ability and enjoy this place for as long as I am called to.

I too wish everyone all the best in the forthcoming election. Michael, follow your dream. You deserve success. Quitters never win and winners ever quit. See you all on the hustings. I for one hope to be back in this place, not necessarily bigger but possibly brighter.

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