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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Thursday, 26 August 2004) . . Page.. 4452 ..

This is a historic moment. We are farewelling three people who all go out winners; they are winners because they leave at the time of their own choosing. Firstly, I farewell my colleague and good friend Greg Cornwell, who has been a member of this place for 12 years. I will miss Greg greatly, not only for his friendship but also because we share some fairly similar conservative views on a number of things. It was interesting tonight to see what I regard as history being made: for the first time Greg and I voted to take out a term of imprisonment for an offence, and the Labor Party over there wanted to keep it in. Even Ms Tucker wanted to keep it in. This place never fails to amaze me.

It will be a shame to lose Greg. Apart from having been an excellent Speaker and a great member of this Assembly, he is wonderful with constituents. I will always remember the almost stinging letters he would write to me and other ministerial colleagues on behalf of his constituents. He has always been a tireless fighter for his constituents and a tireless fighter for self-government for the territory. It is the end of an era when Greg Cornwell leaves this place. It happens to us all, but it is a sad day nevertheless. Thank you, Greg, for your contribution to the Australian Capital Territory, to this little parliament and to the Liberal Party and, on a personal note, for being a very good mate, too. I wish you and Margaret, who has given you such wonderful support, all the best.

I also wish well to Bill and Beverly Wood, whom I have also known for many years. Bill, you, Mr Speaker, and I were members of the first Assembly. Whilst I was out for a while, he and you are the only remaining members—and you will be the last after he leaves tonight—who were there at the inception of self-government. Bill mentioned the arts and heritage committee earlier on, with the late Hector Kinloch. It was a bit of a magical mystery tour on some of the trips we made to investigate what art facilities the territory needed. Basically, one of our first recommendations was that we did not need a $50 million theatre. We made some good recommendations.

I have always found Bill Wood to be a thorough gentleman and a very honourable man to deal with. Back in September 1991, when I was dumped down the ticket to No 8 in the Liberal Party, I seriously considered my future. I was not too sure whom to turn to, and I sought some advice from a man I respected on the other side of politics, with whom I had served on a committee: one Bill Wood. He gave me some very good advice then.

Mr Stanhope: You’re to blame for that, are you?

MR STEFANIAK: How about that! It has always been a pleasure dealing with Bill. He has a genuine concern for the people of the territory, and I have always found it helpful dealing with him and his office. All the very best to you, Bill, to Beverly and to your family in your retirement. Thank you for the fantastic contribution you have made to the Australian Capital Territory.

Now I will turn to a person I would disagree with 90 per cent of the time, a lady who has also served her community very well and in a very different way perhaps to the way some of us do.

Mr Stanhope: Ninety per cent, Bill?

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