Page 4499 - Week 14 - Thursday, 28 November 2013
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holiday. I extend my thanks also to the volunteers who will be working over the festive season who supply services, friendship and support to those who are lonely and isolated during this time.
Madam Speaker, I will just mention that many of us have dogs. I can only speak for myself, but I would be very pleased to bring my dog in on a roster. I would look after her while I was here, doing all the things that you mention I should do. And maybe Ms Berry would like to bring in her dog. We could draw up a roster. I know that my husband would like me to take a greater share of the minding of the menagerie that I have at home. Along with the cooking, the shopping and all the other things that he does for me, there is, of course, his loving care, and I thank him for that.
As I said, it has been a long day and we have had many days in this place. I wish everybody a happy Christmas and great festive season.
Valedictory
MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Children and Young People, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Women, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Racing and Gaming) (6.50): I just want to speak briefly. I would offer to bring my dog in, but he is a 12-month-old staffy and he has not got the manners for group company at the minute so I will just leave him at home digging in the garden.
I would like to say thank you to the staff that have helped me through the year—Phil Tardif, Victor Violante, Emma Clarke, Erin Bennett, Marc Emerson and, most recently, Emily Springett. I also thank the DLOs. DLOs keep us all sane and well provided for. To Chris and Kylie, who are the DLOs at the moment, well done to you—and to the other DLOs and indeed the department staff.
To the team in the Assembly—all the work that you do to support us you do with grace, you do with a smile and you do with a straight face, which is quite incredible. To my caucus colleagues—you are simply the best team to work with; I look forward to coming back and doing that again next year. To my family—I could not do it without your help. To those opposite and to the side—thank you and let’s do it all again next year. And to the good folk of Brindabella, where the air is cleaner, the sky is bluer and the grass is greener—thank you for your support and I will continue to do the right thing by you all.
Ms Porter interjecting—
MS BURCH: Yes, the deep southerners are very proud. I am sure all those opposite can understand that.
In short, to one and all, have a safe and very pleasant break.
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