Page 1405 - Week 05 - Tuesday, 9 May 2017
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of organisations in our community, being on numerous boards for community and sporting organisations over the decades.
In his first speech in this place, Jayson spoke of having been born in Canberra and this very much being his home. His sense of pride in this city was evident to us all, as was his enthusiasm for doing everything he could to make this city a better place.
In the nearly nine years I have been in the Assembly, this is the first time that a former MLA has died. It is a sobering day for us all. Although there are three political parties in here, we are colleagues and we work together to make the ACT the best it can be. On days like today it is a reminder to us all that we must do the best we can with the time we have while we are here.
In a year like this, where we are recovering from two elections last year, I think all MLAs and former MLAs are doing their best to have a well-deserved holiday. I think this is one of those times where we are all reflecting on the fact that we will return from those holidays safely. I was shocked to hear of the terrible news of Jayson’s death, and I am very sorry to hear that it was the result of a motorcycle accident so far from home.
Jayson, of course, was a known motorcycle and dirt-biking enthusiast, as has been spoken about today, and also a passionate advocate in that space. Last year he opened and participated in the annual Kowen Forest ride, bragging at the time that he was a significantly better rider than Minister Mick Gentleman. I am not sure, but he certainly made the case that he was. He wanted to see Canberra become the most motorcycle-friendly city in the country and lobbied for more dirt-biking facilities and more motorcycle parking in the city. It was also about this time last year that Jayson was encouraging us all to get involved in the ACT Motorcycle Riders Association’s annual charity, the blanket run.
Not only was Jayson a known motorcycle enthusiast, as has been touched on today; he was also an absolute enthusiast for rugby. We have been reminded of the humorous story he told us in his first speech, where he regaled us at some length about how Mr Stefaniak had broken his nose, and the observations he made about that. It was quite a funny story at the time. I think one thing I regret is that I never managed to ask him how somebody on his own team managed to break his nose. I am sure there was a good explanation, but it is lost on me.
Madam Speaker, we will miss Jayson, and his death is a loss to the Canberra community. My sympathies and those of Ms Le Couteur go to Jayson’s wife and children, and his mother, as well as other family and friends. Our thoughts are also with our Labor colleagues, who I know will miss Jayson and his contribution to the ACT community.
MS FITZHARRIS (Yerrabi—Minister for Health, Minister for Transport and City Services and Minister for Higher Education, Training and Research) (10.19): I rise today to join my colleagues right across the chamber and throughout our community in expressing our sadness at Jayson’s passing and to pay tribute to his contribution to the Assembly and, as others have mentioned, to the wider community. As a fellow
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