Page 5083 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 28 November 2017
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MRS DUNNE (Ginninderra) (10.28): Madam Speaker, we had the great honour of farewelling our colleague Steve Doszpot as he announced his intention to resign from this Assembly just a month ago. On that day we praised Steve Doszpot for his service, integrity and commitment. On this day we mourn Steve Doszpot and send our condolences to his wife, Maureen, his children, their spouses, his grandchildren and his wide circle of family and friends.
On that day, Madam Speaker, I spoke about Steve Doszpot as a man forged through adversity, with a commitment to faith, family and fidelity to a cause. On this day, as we mourn Steve Doszpot, I want to concentrate on his faith. Everything in Steve’s life prepared him for where we all are today, as he has passed from this life into the next. Steve knew the meaning of the Latin phrase “vita mutatur, non tollitur”: life is changed, not ended. Steve was able to foresee what was coming and prepare for it.
The extraordinary grace with which Steve faced his illness, which Mr Coe has spoken about so eloquently, is a sign of one well prepared for the end of this life and the beginning of the next. Steve lived and died in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection. He was fortified in his faith, and his resilience in the face of adversity is a reassurance and a comfort to all of us.
For Steve, life is changed, not ended. For Steve, there are no more dangerous dogs, Green Squares, Oaks Estates or Shepherd Centres. I hope that when the beatific vision is fully revealed to Steve he will not be too disappointed to discover that rugby is actually the game they play in heaven, but I am also confident that he will receive some dispensation that will allow him to team up with Les Murray and run a soccer competition.
Madam Speaker, life is changed, not ended. Steve:
May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city, Jerusalem.
May choirs of angels receive you and with Lazarus, who was poor, may you have eternal rest.
Steve Doszpot, requiescat in pace.
MR HANSON (Murrumbidgee) (10.31): Indeed we are back far too soon after the valedictory speeches that we all gave just a few short weeks ago. I am glad that Steve got to hear everything that we got to say. I know, because he told me, that he was very moved by all of the generous comments that he received and their sentiments, and a few of the jokes at his expense as well. Steve always liked a good laugh, as you know.
There has been a lot said about Steve’s public life of late, and it is remarkable. But I am deeply honoured that Steve’s family has asked me to speak, at Steve’s request, at the state funeral on Friday. I thank them for that. I think that that is going to be an easy speech to write but a very hard one to deliver. I echo Mr Coe’s thanks to you, Chief Minister, for offering the family the state funeral. I know it means a lot to the
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