Page 5077 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 28 November 2017
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There are some people I would like to thank—firstly, Neil and Jodi, Steve’s staff members. The last 12 months have been very difficult for them. The entire corridor is grateful for what you have done, and I know that Steve was also very appreciative. Secondly, I thank former staff members of Steve’s, in particular Sue, Kate, Merlin, and Brad. You all knew Steve very well, and I know that the last few days have been very tough for you.
Finally, I want to extend a particular thanks to Jeremy. Whilst I know that he would say that no thanks are necessary, as he and Steve were good mates, I know Jeremy was of real comfort to Steve. Steve told me that. From my point of view, Jeremy was able to chat to Steve and Maureen frequently and keep them up to date with Assembly business.
Today the Assembly is a different place. Perhaps there are not going to be any latecomers to the party room. There will not be the smell of boiled eggs and instant soup wafting down the corridor. There is no Audi in the car park. But there is no community advocate as good as Steve Doszpot.
To Maureen, Adam, Amy and family, thank you for sharing your husband, your father, your grandfather, your brother and your uncle with us. He was a great Canberran.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (10.10): It is with genuine sadness that I rise this morning on behalf of the ACT Greens to mark the passing of our colleague Steve Doszpot. Only a month ago we gathered here to mark Steve’s service to the Assembly and bid him farewell from this place after he announced his retirement due to his medical diagnosis. I am pleased that Steve had the opportunity to stand in this place one last time and offer us his thoughts as he departed and also had the opportunity to hear the reflections of his Assembly colleagues on their various relationships with him. Too often those reflections—be they warm, insightful, interesting or, as some were, just plain funny—are offered when it is too late, when a person is no longer with us to share in the moment, and I am pleased that Steve had that moment with us here in the Assembly.
I am also saddened that Steve will not be here this week to see the passage of the legislation on dangerous dogs which he so energetically championed. Tomorrow this chamber will pass a piece of legislation that I believe will make a demonstrable improvement to the management of dogs in this city, and Steve’s commitment to driving that forward will be a lasting legacy of his time in this place.
Of course, Steve leaves a range of other legacies, which were reflected on last month and again today. His story of escaping to Australia, his passion for football, his 2008 campaign song, his advocacy for all things schools, education and sport, his annual trivia fundraising night, and his many other contributions to community life are a legacy that his family and friends can be proud of, and reflect a life well lived.
As a fellow member of the class of 2008 it has been particularly hard to comprehend that Steve would be leaving the Assembly in such an abrupt way, and that he has now passed so quickly. He has always been an energetic member of this place, passionately making his arguments and putting his case, and always active in the
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