Page 5033 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 28 November 2018
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raise his eyebrows in the middle of question time, but that is what a young fellow does. And Emma has visited with Harper and will return to my office in a week or so. It is good to have them back.
It is often asked in this place, or I am as I get out and about, why I do this, as I am sure you are all asked by family, friends and community members. To me it is simple: it is about helping and it is about serving. I will give two examples, very small examples but very meaningful to the families involved.
Kimberlee and Keith I met earlier in the year. Young Keith was born with club foot. This time last year Canberra families had no support for their little ones who were born with club feet. So we put the case to the health minister and she heard, she listened, and from this Christmas onwards families with little ones born with club foot will have the cost covered for the boots and the bars for those young bubs. That is meaningful. That is what gets me going.
For Coreena, Dylan and Mohammed from Bocce ACT, I made the case to use the Chief Minister’s community funds. They were able to travel to New Zealand. They came back bearing silver, in particular 14-year-old Dylan, who has only been in bocce for a bit over 12 months, came back from his first international sports competition with a personal silver. I think you cannot do better than that.
I often use the end-of-year adjournment to introduce a new Joyism word. Let that tradition long continue. This year’s word is “vipsicoo”. For those who are trying to work out what vipsicoo is, it is a more descriptive way of describing vertigo. I thank and credit Ayden, who was the creator of that word. And if I mention Ayden I have to mention his brother Liam as well.
To all, be safe and be content over the holiday break, and definitely take care of those around you. In closing, I send my biggest special Christmas wish to my absolutely favourite boys: Hunter, Kade and Fletcher, have a wonderful Christmas. My word of caution to you is: do not climb the Christmas tree, because you just may get a touch of vipsicoo.
To all of those and to everyone here and to yours, have a safe holiday period.
Valedictory
MR STEEL (Murrumbidgee—Minister for City Services, Minister for Community Services and Facilities, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Roads) (6.40): It has been a very big year for Canberra. Our government has been working very hard throughout the year to deliver the things that we said we would: even better services for our growing city. Halfway through our term I am very proud that our government remains progressive and is delivering the things that matter. One is a commitment to giving every child the opportunity of two years preschool education. There are not many policies that are better than that as far as return on investment goes.
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