Page 8 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 6 November 2012
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a strange workplace at the best of times, and an election time just adds another layer to that complexity.
I thank all members of the ACT Labor team, in particular Mr Elias Hallaj, and the staff, candidates and volunteers for their hard work on the campaign. I also acknowledge the work and leadership of the Deputy Chief Minister, Andrew Barr, and all of my caucus colleagues for their support and their hard work over the past four years in developing the policies we took to the election and the effort that went into the campaign.
Lastly, Madam Speaker, by way of an indulgence just briefly I want to thank my family. Politics is a bruising business and none of us could do it without the support offered to us in our private lives. To David, to my children, my sister, my brothers, my extended family and friends, as we near the end of 2012 one thing is for certain. I can confirm that it takes a village to raise a child, or indeed three children, and I thank all those villagers for their help, their unending love and their deep belief in me and what I could achieve. Thank you.
Visitors
MADAM SPEAKER: Before we proceed I would like to note the presence in the gallery of two of my predecessors, Mr Cornwell and Mr Berry, and former members Ms Karin MacDonald and Ms Caroline Le Couteur, and I welcome you to the Assembly.
Leader of the Opposition
MADAM SPEAKER: Under standing order 5A, the Leader of the Opposition shall be the leader of the largest non-government party, with the consent of the member. As Mr Seselja, as leader of the Liberal Party, is the leader of the largest non-government party, I now seek his consent to being the Leader of the Opposition.
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition): I give my consent, and I seek leave to make a statement.
Leave granted.
MR SESELJA: Can I start by bucking the traditional trend and thank Roslyn, my wife, who is here with us in the gallery today, for all of her support, also my father, who is here today, and all of the family members who support me and support us through very difficult and very challenging years which election years represent.
I would like to offer a number of congratulations. First, I congratulate the Chief Minister. I congratulate you on achieving the position and I trust that over the next four years you will discharge those responsibilities with fairness and with an eye on all aspects of the territory.
I congratulate all members who have been elected. Public office of any sort is a high calling, and one not without challenges. The campaign itself can be gruelling, but
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