Page 5187 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 28 November 2017
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to the delight of opening art exhibitions that showcase the vast artistic talent that walks amongst us here in the ACT. And I have indeed consumed many cups of coffee.
I have also enjoyed a great number of conversations with people from all across Canberra and all walks of life. I have listened and consulted as much as I can, and I can affirm that many of those are difficult conversations. People have laughed with me and they have cried with me. I have attended more funerals than I would have liked this year. I have celebrated with my fellow Canberrans at the marriage equality survey results. I am proud of the work that is being led in gambling harm minimisation and what we have done in liquor reform in transforming the late night economy. I am also pleased to have brought forward legislation to address drink spiking and criminal activity.
I am energised by the spirit of constant innovation and service improvement that drives Access Canberra. I am excited for the next steps of the Belconnen Art Centre and to see what our project funding recipient artists will produce in the coming months. And I look forward to continuing to drive better employment outcomes for veterans transitioning to civilian careers. I constantly delight in the wisdom and generosity of our senior Canberrans.
But none of this would have been possible without the many people who contribute to this work and this service. First of all to my smart, fun, hardworking staff here at the Assembly, I am indeed fortunate to have such a strong team working for me. Thank you to Brooke, David, Michael, Alex and Laura as well as to Sukanya, Abby and Kim who got me started here 12 months ago.
We have also benefited from the incredibly hardworking DLOs and the enthusiasm and the energy of some great interns and work experience students. We are indeed supported by a large number of very dedicated, innovative, and highly experienced public servants. I thank them for their patience, their persistence and, at times, their pointed perseverance.
I also must thank my ministerial advisory councils who advise me in the areas of veterans and seniors, both my outgoing and incoming counsels. The collective wisdom and energy of such eminent, diverse and experienced Canberrans provides great input to us and it is a great privilege to work alongside them.
To my colleagues in the Assembly across and around the chamber, to my comrades and my fellow cabinet members, it may not be La Vie Boheme, but I look forward to the fact that we will indeed come back another day.
To the people of my electorate of Ginninderra by whose choice I am here, I pass on my thanks for the letters, emails, phone calls and conversations and for the ongoing support. I remain steadfastly determined to serve your interests.
Finally, given that this speech started with a reference to Seasons of Love, to my family whose support does not get measured, thank you.
And so, Madam Speaker, with that I look forward to the next 525,600 minutes.
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