Page 30 - Week 01 - Tuesday, 13 December 2016
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
participated and volunteered within our community to build a better society, we also fully recognised our duty to teach these same principles to our children. I believe that investing in our children and our youth is one of the most important investments that we can make.
As a mother, I wear many different hats and have many different roles. Motherhood is truly a challenging, demanding and selfless occupation, one that requires a myriad of skills and abilities. While effective motherhood is a skilled occupation that requires the very best of us, I have learnt that great things can be accomplished by ordinary mothers who have the compassion, and the passion, the love and the dedication to make a difference. I have been proud to teach my children by example that nothing about effective work in a family or in society is particularly complicated. It is all based on the timeless principles of faith, which is a belief in things that are hoped for but not seen; affection; patience; hope; kindness; humility; and diligence. Mix those principles with planning, hard work and organisation, and as families, individuals and society we will be able to accomplish anything we can imagine. There really is strength in unity.
Women are the masterpieces of society. I believe that children are the most precious and the most valuable thing in all of the world, and as women, we have been entrusted to bear and give birth to our children and then raise, nurture, train and teach them to be good citizens and our future leaders. I believe that we need more mothers in politics, for the same principles that build strong families will also build a stronger society. As a mother of five children, I am well aware of many issues that are important to families in the Australian Capital Territory. As a dedicated, hardworking mother, I have developed the attributes and qualifications that will allow me to work towards a better Canberra as a member of the Legislative Assembly.
Participation in the Assembly is both a privilege and a responsibility. As a member of the Liberal Party, I feel personally accountable to lift burdens from the shoulders of my leader and my MLA colleagues. I will diligently prepare for and participate in meetings and discussions so that we, as Canberra Liberals, can be the best we can be. As a shadow minister, I feel the need not just to know policy but to engage with the people who, day in and day out, are affected by policy decisions and learn from their expertise and experiences. As concerns and issues arise, I am obligated to sincerely question the government and work with them towards resolving these issues.
As I hold a position of leadership, I will be required to give an account for what I did with the position that I hold. I understand that leadership is a sacred trust. I am dedicated to investing my energy in solving or preventing problems and to strategically planning for the future.
Through many years of community work, I have been able to address fragmentation and work towards achieving cooperation and unity among diverse groups within our communities. As a result of rendering significant service in Canberra, I have come to the conclusion that it is only when we give of ourselves to others that we find true happiness. By giving ourselves to others in service, we can put our differences behind us.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video