Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 10 Hansard (Thursday, 26 August 2004) . . Page.. 4463 ..

These people, and others, have guided me, encouraged me and challenged my views, but one of the most helpful has been Mr Berry, along with Sue Robinson from his office. They have gone out of their way to help me as a new member, and they made sure that my transition from the opposition to the crossbench went as smoothly as possible. I am aware that you, Mr Berry, have been a bit of a rascal in this place over the years.

MR SPEAKER: Order! You cannot reflect on the Chair, all right?

MRS CROSS: You have held just about every position that one can hold in a major party in this place, but the position that I can relate to is the position that you have held as Speaker. It is one that I feel you have carried out with great dignity and to a high standard. Having gone through some of the challenges you have gone through in your political career, I admire the fact that you have maintained your grace and dignity with those who have challenged you and caused you great distress. That is a lesson I have learnt watching you—how to deal with those that have done the same to me.

I thank my fellow committee members: Vicki Dunne, Roslyn Dundas, John Hargreaves and Katy Gallagher—from our first committee together—and Greg Cornwell. There is a crossover there because some of us serve on more than one committee. I thank my staff, the attendants, members of the Secretariat, Corporate Services, the Clerk and his team and, last but not least, the team that helped me through the evolutionary phase of being a new member in this place: David and David, Helen and Nick, Juliana, Sandra, Bede and others.

I appreciate the opportunity I have been given. The Greek community was very proud to have me here, as the first member in this Assembly of Greek origin. I hope I have done them proud, as well as my electorate. I wish everyone well in the upcoming election who genuinely wishes to put the community’s interests first. I wish Ms Tucker well in her upcoming challenge for the Senate. I wish everyone a safe return to this place in the new year. Hopefully, the Prime Minister will call the election on Saturday and we will not go to the polls till 4 December, but we will see.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

The Assembly adjourned at 1.03 am until a day and hour to be fixed.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .