Page 6008 - Week 14 - Thursday, 8 December 2011
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Kas has always proven himself to be apolitical and cheerful, having worked closely with both the Liberal and Labor governments in his time with the ACT government, including serving as the business, arts, sports and tourism departmental liaison officer for then Chief Minister Kate Carnell.
I understand that Kas’s vast military experience has also been utilised through his role in supporting the former Chief Minister’s Department and now directorate on the Council for the Order of Australia and in relation to other ACT medals and awards. Kas, I know, is looking forward to spending more time with his wife and two children and a number of grandchildren. I am sure he is also looking forward to having a relaxing run each day, not just the run he undertakes at lunch-time.
I wish Kas well for his very well-deserved retirement. I thank him very much for the support he has provided me and my office and, indeed, all members of this Assembly in his time in this place. Best wishes, Kas.
I would also like to express my thanks to my staff for their support throughout the year. The work of a minister’s office is demanding, and dealing with a minister can be demanding as well. So special thanks this year for what has been an exceptionally busy year in the Corbell office.
Firstly, to my chief of staff, Monika Boogs: Monika, thank you for your support at all times during the year. Your cheerfulness and your dedication to watching my back is a great source of comfort for me.
To my media advisers, Pat Cronan and the newly arrived Kristen Zotti, as always, effective advocates and promoters of the Labor government’s message and ideas. Thank you for your ongoing and unstinting work. It is often said they are perhaps the first people I talk to in the morning and the last people I speak to in the evening. That can be concerning at times, but, regrettably, it is all too often true.
I also thank my executive officer, Katie Bourke, for always presenting a professional and friendly face at the front door of my office. To my new legal adviser, Kim Hosking, thank you for making the leap from the public service to political life. I trust that she is enjoying it and we promise not to take her on too many exciting plane trips around the country. That is a private joke.
I also extend my thanks to Steve Blume, my environment adviser. He is always enthusiastic and committed to the Labor government’s goals and objectives in sustainability. To Vic Smorhun, my new planning adviser who, regrettably, has been poached by my colleague the Chief Minister, thank you for your ongoing cheerful, professional and always capable advice, just in time.
Also, my departmental liaison officers, Tania Carter from the Environment and Sustainable Development Directorate, Joshua Ceramidas from the Justice and Community Safety Directorate, and Peter Davis and Andrew Bailey from the Australian Federal Police, have all been very capable and effective representatives of their directorates in my office, and I thank them for their support and professionalism,
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