Page 2271 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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The early years of her time in the Assembly, I know, were pretty turbulent and I know at times they were difficult and there were some personal setbacks, but she remained strong because faith is central to who Vicki is. As a committed Catholic she has provided a voice to thousands of Canberrans who share her faith but also to others who share her values. For this faith she has often been criticised but she has stood strong. She has fought the good fight.
What is perhaps the most defining aspect of Mrs Dunne is her family. It is evident to all of us that words cannot describe the love that she has for them all. To the children—Olivia, Tom, Julia, Isabella and Conor—and partners and grandchildren, thank you for sharing your mum with the people of Canberra. Thank you for giving up time with your mum so that she could serve here. Thank you for the support that you gave her. And of course, to Vicki’s dad in Lismore, thank you. There is still time for all of you to convince him, at the age of 98, to vote Liberal.
Of course Lyle has been such an instrumental member of team Dunne. He is regularly seen at events with Vicki, helping on the campaign trail, providing Vicki with additional policy firepower. Lyle has been a wonderful asset for our team as well. Thanks for being on this journey.
I record some comments I have received from Senator Seselja, a past colleague, friend and, of course, Leader of the Opposition with Vicki as a member of that team. He said:
“Conviction politician” will be the public epitaph and rightly so. Vicki has strong beliefs about the inherent dignity of every human person, no matter their age or stage, and of the importance of family and looking after those who are most vulnerable in our community, which she refused to depart from regardless of the personal cost, and this will be to her eternal credit.
She is a wonderful mum and art lover, a traveller, a loving wife, a volunteer, someone who enjoys life and lives it to the full. Her wicked sense of humour is not to be discussed publicly as it would no doubt get us in trouble. On the flipside, her compassion always shone through. In all these things, laughing or crying, fighting, working or caring, Vicki has always been unique and authentic. She will be a loss to the Assembly and the Liberal team and to public life. But that loss will be Lyle and her family’s gain as she and they are able to join the next phase of life together.
Those words were from Zed.
The Vicki that you see in her public life is the same as the Vicki that you see in her private life—loving, compassionate and committed. I am disappointed that she was never a minister, and I know that is a point of disappointment for her. However, at least cabinet submissions from public servants will be spared of her grammatical corrections.
She can be proud of a huge amount of work that she has done across so many different portfolios, most notably in planning, health and community services. I am
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