Page 4201 - Week 12 - Tuesday, 24 October 2017
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A mark of any good representative is the ability to listen more than speak. My observation of Mr Doszpot over nine years in this place is that he has shown, perhaps more than many, an ability to do just that. His engagement in the Assembly has been extensive. His work for older Canberrans, often in conjunction with Mary Porter, was amongst the great achievements of this place in the last two parliamentary terms.
Ms Doszpot’s consistent advocacy for Canberrans, particularly those in the inner south, is indeed very well known. As we have heard, through his annual charity trivia nights he has raised thousands of dollars for many charities across the city, and I note that there was particular sadness when it was announced that the 2017 event would be the last.
Even though there have been many issues on which we have disagreed, Steve, I want to thank you for your undoubted commitment to making Canberra a better place, for keeping me accountable every day in all those portfolios in which you have shadowed me formally in this place, informally in car parks, in various locations around the city, on the weekends, when you least expect it. We have always been able to have frank conversations outside the intense political activities.
You are right to observe that this can be a harsh environment at times in which to work but where it has been possible to reach bipartisan agreement and where we have been able to sort things out outside the day-to-day confrontation we certainly have. I thank you for the grace and dignity with which you have held yourself in this place, including that last speech, which was a fantastic contribution. I want to assure you that I will continue to forge ahead on the work that you have undertaken in the areas that we have collaboratively worked on, and I am sure you will continue to hold me to account.
Thank you and all the best. Spend some quality time with your family and friends. It is terrific to see so many people here today to acknowledge your significant contribution to the Assembly. Other colleagues will speak further, but thank you on behalf of the government.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (10.34), by leave: I too rise today to pay tribute to Steve Doszpot and to thank him for his service in the ACT Legislative Assembly. He is a gentleman. He is passionate. He is a fearless advocate. He is a colleague and he is a friend.
I first met Steve about 20 years ago through soccer. Steve, of course, has a great love for the world game. Not only has soccer left its mark on Steve but Steve has certainly left his mark on soccer, be it through local soccer clubs, the local soccer federation, the National Soccer League or the Sydney Olympics. However, he has had mixed success with one of his local campaigns and that is for all of us to call it football. I am afraid that for many of us it will always be soccer, but he has been fearless in advocating for it to be called football over the years.
I had the pleasure of working on Steve’s 2001 campaign in Brindabella. It was a great campaign and I note that there are numerous people in the gallery who also worked on
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