Page 4314 - Week 13 - Thursday, 19 November 2015
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work with you. Again we do not always agree but at least we can agree to work together, and that is a good thing. The committee system has often been called the jewel of the Assembly, and it should be so.
I refer in particular to the representative of the community in Tuggeranong, the Tuggeranong Community Council, which the Labor Party seems to have such grief with. Mr Hargreaves called them “grumpy old men” and Mr Barr has made interesting comments as well. Well, one of the grumpy old men died this year. Eric Traise was never grumpy, he was never old, and he was always young at heart. After years of service through the military and other things, Eric’s passing was a low point in the year. But it comes to us all; we still remember him and best regards to his family.
To those that support me in the party, the Canberra electorate branch and the Tuggeranong interest branch, thanks for all your efforts. The cause is just and we will be triumphant. I am looking forward to the fight next year, as always.
I close by saying thanks to my family and friends. My daughters, Amy and Lorena, have a much better life than I do. They now live on Bondi Beach. If you walk out the back door of their apartment and cross a little bit of bitumen, you are in sand. I ring in the mornings to say hello and you can hear the waves. It is nice to know that all of our efforts have not been wasted. Their love is always there and it is great. To David, who often does not have dad there at home at night, thank you for what you have given up. You are a great mate; I love it when I get home and there you are. And particularly to Robyn, who is always there, I thank you.
Colleagues, have a great break.
Valedictory
MS PORTER (Ginninderra) (6.17): This will probably be my last Christmas adjournment debate as the end of term next year will be nowhere near Christmas. So it is with mixed feelings that I thank my colleagues for their support. I note that this is Simon’s last valedictory adjournment debate, too. Collectively, my colleagues and I have done some great things during this year. I particularly acknowledge Simon’s work on restorative justice because I am very appreciative of that, and I think we have made many great changes in that area.
Thanks to Mr Rattenbury also and to my colleagues on the other side of this chamber. You all make this place work; we need you all. Sometimes we get a little irritated with one another but we all need each other to make this place work. We cannot serve the people of the ACT without each other.
I especially thank my staff—Charles, Anna, David—and those who have also worked in my office during this year, Brea and Kate. They are a terrific team and a great support. A big thank you to my committee secretary, Andrew Snedden, and of course to my colleagues on the committee. We have done some great work this year on the education committee. To all those in the committee office, a big thank you.
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