Page 6157 - Week 14 - Thursday, 9 December 2010
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Many of us sit on committees and we rely on the committee secretaries and the Committee Office to do a good job. I would like to thank Hanna Jaireth and Margie Morrison from the climate change committee. I also thank Sandra Lilburn and all the other secretaries in the Committee Office and other staff particularly for their assistance during what was quite a busy time during estimates this year. I also thank Hansard, the education office, the attendants, Corporate Services, Chamber Support, the library and all others who help us do our jobs day to day.
I would also like to extend those wishes to the people of Canberra, particularly those in my electorate of Ginninderra. I wish you all a very safe Christmas. Best wishes to all of your families. I hope that you get to spend a relaxing day on Christmas Day enjoying that time with family, eating some good food and being able to catch up with friends. This is a very important time of the year when we can reconnect with families. We can spend some important time with them, remembering what it is that we are doing here. We can reflect on that and come back refreshed for another year in 2011, when I am sure that we will face many challenges and do our best to represent the people of the ACT.
Valedictory
MR SPEAKER: Members, I might take the opportunity now to make a few comments. In my capacity as the Speaker I would particularly like to thank the Secretariat staff for another outstanding year of service to the Assembly. I know all members have mentioned them so far. I think they have very rightly mentioned many of the roles that they play.
I specifically wanted to acknowledge that for most of the year we have operated in the absence of our Clerk, Tom Duncan. This has resulted in many of the staff being promoted in their roles or taking on a different role to perhaps their normal job. I would like to acknowledge that in those circumstances the Assembly has run as smoothly as ever. I think the staff who have taken on additional roles this year have acquitted themselves strongly in taking up those particular roles. I would particularly like to note the Acting Clerk, Mr Max Kiermaier, and the Acting Deputy Clerk, Janice Rafferty, who have continued to ensure this place runs as smoothly and as effectively as it always does.
I would also like to take this opportunity to acknowledge one of the attendants in particular. Members may or may not have realised but today is the last sitting day before he retires for Mr Peter Litchfield. Peter started with the Assembly first in 1994. He has continued to serve in the Assembly in part-time and full-time capacities ever since 1994, which is an extraordinary record of service in this place.
He has actually been here longer than any of the members. He has survived far longer than most. Peter will be around over the next couple of weeks. I am sure many will take the opportunity to say a personal farewell. But I did want to take this opportunity in the formalities of the Assembly to acknowledge Peter’s long service. Thank you, Peter.
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