Page 3996 - Week 10 - Thursday, 28 August 2008
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keep this place in the order that you do. We know that you are ably supported by those three good people in front of you at the moment—Tom, Max and Janice.
Last but not least, what can we say about Bill Stefaniak—boofy Bill? Bill and I, as you know, had a very interesting time together as leader and deputy. I was honoured to do that; at the time it was right for us to do that. I look back on that time with pride. I was honoured to be able to step in and do that at that time, but I am equally honoured to do anything I am called to do. I am happy. As people will know, I have had cleaning jobs. I have run my own business. I have done a wide range of things. I am happy to serve. I just enjoy serving people.
I wish the four of you all the very, very best. We have gone from babies to perhaps studying, more studying, maybe some gardening and maybe a lot more running. Mr Stefaniak will be doing his job out in the community. You could see the way Bill was heading. People do not know, but the sacrifices that family make are enormous. Well done to Shirley Stefaniak and the family. It was no easy thing to do, but sometimes you have to call it. Farewell, Bill, from this place. You know what I mean.
I will leave it there. Thank you very much to all of you. Let us look forward to a good clean campaign.
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (7.41): In recognition of the last day of sittings of this Assembly I will briefly reflect on my experience as a member. Members may recall that when I first arrived in this place I said I believed that I could stand for election because I could stand alongside a man I believed in, a man of vision and integrity—Jon Stanhope. I have not been disappointed. Over the past three years and a few months I have appreciated just how much vision and just how much commitment Jon Stanhope has. I also appreciate the commitment of the Labor government, which works hard to make this a better city and a stronger community.
When I first arrived here I also made myself a promise—a promise that if my integrity were ever threatened by anything I was required to do or not do, I would consider not standing again. I am happy to say that I have not had that experience; in fact, the reverse. I believe I have acted with integrity and also with commitment. I have worked hard and people can judge me on that.
It is in my genes. After he was demobbed after World War II my father found on his papers the words: this man has PDI. He was a bit concerned. He thought maybe he had some form of disease, so he went to inquire as to what those initials meant. It meant: push, drive and initiative. The push, drive and initiative have been passed on to his daughter.
I have really enjoyed being here. It is an honour to have been elected by my peers and to serve them. I thank the people of Ginninderra for that privilege and I thank all the people that helped me get elected in the first instance. I have a strong ethic of service and mostly I have enjoyed being out there and assisting the people with a myriad of different issues.
I have also enjoyed the committee work that lots of us have talked about this evening. I thank those people with whom I have served on committees. We have done some
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