Page 4319 - Week 13 - Thursday, 19 November 2015

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video

---

Richards, who did some work experience in my office—thank you for your contribution.

To all the volunteers who have assisted me, branch members and the executive of the Liberal Party, thank you for your commitment and support. Most of all, thank you to the constituents of Brindabella, in other words, Tuggeranong, including the very wonderful Tuggeranong Community Council, and many volunteers throughout Tuggeranong, including the RSL, Rotary, Lions and catchment management groups. There are a whole lot of people that make our community in Tuggeranong a better place every day.

I make special mention of Eric Traise and Lion, Frank Brown, who passed away during the year. I am sure they will be sorely missed by their families during this festive season.

I will go as quickly as I can through a brief poem. It is my Christmas offering, and I hope you take it in the festive spirit in which it is offered. It is called The Tram from Gungahlin Station, with apologies to AB “Banjo” Paterson:

There was movement at the station,

For the word had passed around

That the tram from Gungahlin was on its way

And had joined the Labor promises—too many to keep count

So the cracks began to appear and fray

All the tired, jaded Ministers from electorates near and far

Were gathering to try and muster fight

For the Greens Minister loved governing, as did all of them under Barr.

But the Chief Minister sensed shifting to the right.

There was Corbell who was leaving, having made his mark but then gave up,

The old stager who had been around so long,

And few could match his points of order when his blood was stirred right up

He would interject where no-one else was strong

And Burch of Brindabella who was full of spite and hate

But was clearly not quite up to par

For the opposition could throw her and she rose straight to the bait

She never learnt she always went too far.

And there was the Chief Minister, finally at the top

He was trying to make his own mark

With his hip and coolest capital, renewal and pop up shops

While removing any place to park

He was hard and tougher and able to think on his feet

He had courage and some vision, it is true,

But he bore the burden of a team that just couldn’t compete

And it caused him grief, whenever trouble brewed.

But still, he worked it hard, no-one doubted his commitment

The others said, he is the one to lead us through

A long and tiring campaign—no saviour would be sent

So he battled long and hard despite his crew.

---

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video