Page 4694 - Week 13 - Wednesday, 27 November 2019

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The Greens’ response to drug dependency is always the same: “Why don’t we free up access to it? That is going to solve the problem.” When someone has an underlying anxiety condition and the response is to try to drown out their pain with drugs, this minister says, “The problem is not enough access to drugs.” That is rubbish. That is wrong. I find that totally embarrassing. The minister for the prison does not know what a drug exit program is. That is the whole story in one.

I commend my motion to the chamber. I say again that I am disappointed that the government will not take proper responsibility for this failing facility.

Question put:

That the motion be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Ayes 8

Noes 11

Miss C Burch

Mr Milligan

Mr Barr

Ms Le Couteur

Mr Coe

Mr Parton

Ms Berry

Mr Ramsay

Mr Hanson

Ms J Burch

Mr Rattenbury

Mrs Jones

Ms Cheyne

Mr Steel

Mrs Kikkert

Mr Gentleman

Ms Stephen-Smith

Ms Lee

Mr Gupta

Question resolved in the negative.

Adjournment

Motion (by Mr Gentleman) proposed:

That the Assembly do now adjourn.

Valedictory

MS LEE (Kurrajong) (6.06): Reflecting back on the year that was 2019, no-one would be in any doubt that the greatest event that happened to me personally was the birth of my first child. Mia unexpectedly arrived four weeks early, but we are very fortunate that, despite surprising us preterm, Mia was and is healthy, happy and thriving. A big shout-out to my amazing team of healthcare professionals. I faced a number of medical issues and risks before and throughout my pregnancy, and I thank them for their tremendous care and support.

Madam Speaker, I acknowledge my hardworking team—Sue, Josh and Anton—because without them there is no Team Elizabeth Lee. The hours they clock up, the effort they put in and the heart they give to everything we do is a great credit to their work ethic, their dedication, and their belief that what we are doing is making a difference to the people of the ACT.

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