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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Thursday, 26 August 2004) . . Page.. 4462 ..

I would like to thank those people who have kept me sane since I have been in this place—no, not you, Mr Hargreaves. Not you. I thank my former boss and my work colleague, Athol Cairn and Terry Hannan, for their advice from time to time and for their friendship. I appreciate all their sage advice. I thank my good friend Bob Kemp in Queensland for being himself and making me laugh. I will not tell you about the rude jokes he makes.

I thank my very good friends Jenny Wardrop, Trish McAloon, Fiona Nott and, most of all, Jane Wannell, who is more like a sister to me than a friend. I appreciate them very much for letting me ring and let off steam on numerous occasions, although Jenny lets me let off steam by just talking at me rather than listening to me. But that is good. I thank Brendan Scott, my husband and my antagonist—sometimes a person who drives me insane but who always means to do so in the best fashion—for suggesting the idea of running in the first place. Yes, it is his fault. I think it was a good idea in hindsight.

I have learnt much in my first term and I will be back to learn more and achieve more for the people of Brindabella and Canberra. I would like to think that I have made all who love and respect me proud of me and that, were he alive today, my dad, Allan MacDonald, would be proud and believe that I had always acted with honour and integrity in this place.

Valedictory

MRS CROSS (12.57 am): Mr Speaker, I echo the sentiments of many of my colleagues. I would like to thank the voters of Molonglo for giving me the opportunity to serve not only them but also the broader community. My journey in this place has been a very interesting one, both challenging and gratifying. I have observed, listened and learnt from members like Bill Wood.

Bill, you have been a very canny politician and a gentleman, and I have learnt a lot from watching you. Despite the fact that we may not agree philosophically on many things, I respect the way you approach your work. I have also learnt from Greg Cornwell, another gentleman. There are not many left. I do cherish some of the very special conversations we had and the debates that we had on a variety of issues.

John Hargreaves was very helpful to me from my very first week in this place; in fact, he was a good guide on a number of things. I do value, and did value, his help to me as a new member learning the ropes—question time, which was always interesting, standing orders, and committee work. He was always there to help, and he always offered. It was never solicited; he was just there. I appreciate the help that you gave me as a new member, John.

I used to find Kerrie Tucker the most awesome woman in this place. I thought, “My God, this woman’s survived three terms.” I said to Kerrie recently, “I now really admire, respect and appreciate more what you have had to endure, not only as a woman but also as someone who has fought to maintain a position, your philosophical opinions, your principles. We may agree to disagree on issues, but I do respect the fact that you continue to maintain your integrity and position on what you believe.”

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