Page 5753 - Week 15 - Thursday, 10 December 2009
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me—I am reasonably confident; I see a very big smile on some faces around the Assembly. It is good to see people smiling at me for once.
Members interjecting—
MR HANSON: It is my best speech of the year, isn’t it? To the Assembly staff, to your staff, Tom Duncan, I simply echo the comments by Mr Smyth, Mr Corbell and the Speaker. You guys do a wonderful job. I have seen it in full for the first year and I thank you for the tremendous work that you do.
I would like to mention the Liberal Party staff and the people behind the scenes because they are the people who do a lot of the hard work. In the leader’s office: Steve Doyle, Ian Hagan, Adam Duke, Tio Faulkner, Nick Chapman, Keith Old and Maria. They do an awful lot of work in support of my office. In my own office, Christian Dunk has moved on. Amanda Murray will be moving north to Queensland. Rohan Dayal has recently started working.
Brett Chant has had, in my view, a very good year. I know that he was the cause of some consternation earlier in the year and he somewhat deservedly received some criticism, but I think that he has bounced back. The way he has behaved this year—the work he has done for me—has been absolutely admirable. I would ask you, as we move forward, to bear in mind what a fine young man he is. Those of you in the Assembly who have had a chance to work with him would know what a decent fellow he is, what a hard worker he is, what a good bloke he is. I pay special mention to him. He has really done himself proud throughout this year.
And finally to my family, to Fleur, Robbie and Will: we owe a lot to our families. I owe a lot to mine and I thank them.
MR HARGREAVES (Brindabella) (6.06): This year has been a tumultuous one for me, one of fluctuating fortunes. It is customary at this time of year that we understand that we are not capable of discharging our duties without the support of many people. I have been a member of this place for nearly 12 years and need to acknowledge that I have been supported by a vast number of professionals. I have been dependent upon the executive and cabinet support, the Clerk, Chamber Support, the Committee Office, the Library, Hansard, Corporate Services support and technical support, including Rick, Mr Fix-it, the amazing Ray Blundell and, of course, everyone’s favourite people, the attendants.
I have often said of the vast army under Generalissimo Duncan that they are here when we get here and they are here when we go home. I know the pressures we put on Janice Rafferty, Anne Shannon, Celeste Italiano, Peter Bayne and Stephen Argument. I acknowledge the services of the Deputy Clerk, the No 1 ticket holder of the AFL 2009 grand final losers. I remember 1966 and I will never forget it. If I have forgotten anybody, please forgive me.
Whilst a member of the executive, I received solid support from the offices of DHCS, IR and Corrections and I thank them all. To my staff: I apologise for tipping their world upside down last October and I thank them all—Mark Kulasingham, Jim Mallett, Kim Fischer, Jennie Mardel, Stacey Pegg, Jenny Whichelo,
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