Page 3563 - Week 08 - Friday, 24 August 2012
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
significant achievement. It is a significant achievement that not many people get to do. There are very few people in the history of the Assembly who have been elected four or more times and served 14 years in the way that John has. I honour that achievement and I honour that service here today.
It is worth noting also that during that time I know that John Hargreaves was also, most often, mentioned as the first Labor member elected in Brindabella, which is no small achievement either.
I will just finish by thanking you for your service and wishing you and Jenny, particularly, all the best for the future.
MS HUNTER (Ginninderra—Parliamentary Leader, ACT Greens), by leave: On behalf of the Greens, I would also like to pay tribute to Johnno. I do not quite know where to start; there have been a lot of jokes and some great interactions over the last four years. We have sat on the scrutiny of bills committee together, along with Mrs Dunne; there have been times when it has been a little disconcerting for me to see Johnno and Mrs Dunne getting along so well. I almost wondered where I was. But you were happy to share your experience, sometimes in rather a longwinded way; fewer words may have been more to the point. You were always willing to share your experience and knowledge.
And you were always one to be able to have a bit of a laugh with, which is important. It is a tough job in here. You did speak about the black dog. It is important that amongst parliamentarians there is some support for and some understanding of the tough job we do. I know that has been a bit of a theme for you—the difference between a parliamentarian and a politician. I think, Johnno, you have been a good example of that.
I know that you have represented this parliament on many occasions overseas, with the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Sometimes, Max or Tom has accompanied you. I am sure there are parliamentarians around the world who may sometimes have wondered what our parliament is all about, Johnno. But I am sure that you did the best to promote this parliament in those circumstances.
Again, on behalf of my colleagues, I thank you for your long and dedicated service. As Mr Seselja said, it is quite extraordinary to have gone through four elections, to have been there. As I said, it is long hours, but you have been there to ensure that you supported your community, made representations on their behalf and, particularly, made that connection to the multicultural community. I have seen that first hand; I know that that is very close to your heart—along with playing music. I have yet to see Johnno and his band. I know they have been practising in a garage. I do not know if it is Ms Burch’s garage? Yes, it is Ms Burch’s garage.
I wish you all the best in your musical career, which is coming up, particularly with your ukulele playing. Maybe we could book you for the Christmas gig here at the Assembly; Mr Speaker might take than on board.
Thank you very much for your years of great service, Johnno.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video