Page 5320 - Week 14 - Wednesday, 29 November 2017
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condolences go out to any Crows supporters in the ACT. Better luck next year. Good on you, Richmond Tigers.
I have really appreciated the challenge of my Indigenous portfolio. Much of this year has been spent seeking and creating opportunities to meet and talk with the community, and this was certainly an eye opener. What really amazes me and, more importantly, concerns me is that in such a small community—only 1.7 per cent of the population or less than 7,000 people—they are over-represented in almost every area of social welfare need. It has really made me want to advocate on their behalf to try TO make a difference. I am honoured to be able to represent them and to work with them to try to make change really happen.
I could not have achieved what I have done this year without the support of some great people: first of all, the people of Yerrabi, who voted me in to office and who have entrusted me to represent them honestly and with a passion. Thanks to my wife, Katrina, and my son, Blake, who have tirelessly supported me throughout my journey to becoming an elected member and who continue to show that support in not minding the frequent late nights and many weekend events.
My thanks go to my office staff, who have worked alongside me to make this a great and rewarding year through their commitment, professionalism and guidance. My thanks to Karin for her zeal in keeping me up to date on portfolio matters, her superb attention to detail, her capacity to handle urgent tasks, her professionalism in dealing with the vast number of Assembly matters and her stoic acceptance of an MLA—to use her words—meddling too much in office management issues. This has cost me, I am sure, a lot of coffees and lunches just to calm the waters.
I am fortunate that I have Chris to provide his experience in Assembly and electorate matters to well manage these essential tasks. I value his commitment in all electorate matters and his contribution to building strong relationships both here and in the community.
My thanks to my former campaign manager, Ewan Brown, also my senior intern; He has brought a wealth of experience, knowledge and wisdom to the office from his professional and representative background. Ewan assesses every issue in detail and provides advice based on strong research and mature experience. I note that dragging him out of retirement to work for me has caused some stresses, requiring him to take regular long trips to New Zealand for fishing trips. I also thank Ben Puckett and Brandon Bodel for their enthusiasm and energy in working on electorate matters.
I thank Alistair Coe and Nicole Lawder for their leadership, and all my colleagues with me on this side of the Assembly—Andrew Wall, Vicki Dunne, Jeremy Hanson, Giulia Jones, Elizabeth Lee, Elizabeth Kikkert, Mark Parton, and of course the late Steve Doszpot—who have provided me with support and advice throughout the year.
Many thanks to Magic Mike in the security room for keeping us safe but, more importantly, for providing a supply of lollies during sitting weeks. Thanks also to my committee secretaries, who do a wonderful job, and also to all the OLA staff.
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