Page 9 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 6 November 2012
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those of us who have served before realise that the real work is only just beginning. However, so too are some of the rewards that can come from serving the people of Canberra, and I wish all members success in representing the community that has chosen them to serve.
I congratulate you, Madam Speaker. The Speaker occupies a unique role in our system of government, and that role comes with its own particular responsibilities and unique privileges. Can I say, Madam Speaker, that you are very well placed to take on this role. Having served alongside you for two terms and having observed you in the time before that, it is a well-deserved recognition of many years of the kind of selfless service that you have put into the Assembly and to your community, and a reflection on your experience in public office and your expertise in parliamentary process. I wish you well.
I congratulate my colleagues from the last term, all of whom have been returned. A full return of a party room is not so common, nor so easy to achieve as might be assumed. The record in the Assembly from all parties is that this is generally not achieved, and the electorate will exercise its rights and discretion to place not just the party of their choice in parliament but the people of their choice as well. It is a great testimony to the last four years of hard work, and the campaigns run by these people, that every single one of our party room has been re-elected to serve another term. I congratulate you all.
I congratulate the new members. They have faced the uncertainty of election without the advantage of recognition. They have run amongst what was once again an extensive field of qualified and competent candidates, they have prevailed and they have earned their place to sit in this Assembly.
On our own side, Mr Andrew Wall, a small businessman from Tuggeranong, earned his place through sheer use of shoe leather and an exceptional willingness to work. He is an absolute testament to the triumph of the grassroots campaign. I congratulate him and welcome him to our Assembly.
Giulia Jones, a working mum from Weston Creek, has earned her place through tenacity that has spanned years. This is the third time Giulia has put her name forward for election. Last time in the Assembly election she missed out by only a very small margin. This time she claimed her place with a strong one. She is the living embodiment of the spirit of “never give up”. Now Giulia with a G, candidate for Molonglo, is Mrs Giulia Jones, Member of the Legislative Assembly. Congratulations.
To Yvette Berry, congratulations and welcome. To Mick Gentleman, congratulations and welcome back. It is good that we have now seen the electric cars replaced by the electric blue sports car, Mick. Nice to have you back.
To all the candidates who stood for this election, from the bullet train party to Marion Le’s Social Justice Party, Chic Henry and the motorists and to the many independents, congratulations on having the spirit of service to stand up for the community. Our
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