Page 605 - Week 02 - Thursday, 9 March 2006
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Ted has been well served by his staff in this place. Of all the offices I have had to deal with, the staff that I would have to say I have had the most joy in dealing with have been Ted’s staff, particularly Narelle and Jeff. If you did not get a straight answer, you got a good giggle if nothing else. They are certainly held in high regard by most people on this side, if not all, and certainly by the media, which is testimony to Ted’s choice in staff.
I understand that Margaret, his partner, is going to put him to work and has on the fridge a list of things to do: she does not want you sitting around or getting idle.
Mr Quinlan: She will kick me out of the house. I will get locked out of the house at 8.00 am every day.
MR SMYTH: Locked out of the house, is it? The fall from grace is rapid and swift and it is obviously large. I am reminded of Tim Fischer’s line about roosters and feather dusters. Ted, thanks very much for what you have given to your territory. It does take a great deal of courage to stand up and it also takes a great deal of courage to go. On both counts you have had that courage, and well done. I shall treasure the Ted Quinlan memorial economic cycle photograph, which I will hang in my office. Ted, best of luck to you and Margaret in the future.
Mr Ted Quinlan—retirement
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (6.24): Mr Speaker, as one of the new kids on the block, I would like to reflect on Mr Quinlan’s departure from this place. Rather than dwelling on his long and illustrious career, as lots of people have done before me, I would like to think about the relaxing period that he is entering into, or at least that is what we are led to believe. I doubt every much that it will be a relaxing period, from what I have heard.
Mr Quinlan, you have been here eight years and you have served this place very well and the territory very well and I thank you very much for that. I want particularly to acknowledge, with the Chief Minister, your work in various voluntary capacities. They are too numerous to mention, but I would acknowledge the ones with the Canberra Labor Club board, on which I sat with you, and the wonderful job that you do on the Volunteering ACT board of governance. Thank you very much for that.
I will not dwell anymore on the past, but rather imagine your possible future. We all know that you will be going under the knife again, but in your time of recuperation and rest I am sure that you will have plenty of time to think about your future with Margaret and your family. I will never let a chance go by, Mr Quinlan, without mentioning the V word. Thank you very much for the gift that you kindly gave me at Christmas, the volunteer doll with its price tag attached.
May I suggest that you look at the various unpaid work that is there begging for your wonderful skills. It is called volunteering because it is about choice. The Latin word for “to will” is the word that volunteering is based on. It is about choice and there is plenty of choice out there, but let us not forget that it is unpaid work and let us acknowledge it as that. But you have plenty of choice. The world is your oyster. Once your knee is in working order and you get on your feet, the opportunities will be endless. I have my volunteer doll at hand should you need some assistance with any advice from it.
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