Page 2273 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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over my time in this place. But I think we have both been on a journey. As I reflect on the speeches that you gave 10 or 15 years ago and some of the speeches I gave, we are, I think, more mature parliamentarians at this point in our careers.
You have always had a commanding grasp of the standing orders of this place and used them to devastating effect at times—when we were least expecting it. You are head and shoulders above most parliamentarians that I have encountered in this place because of your knowledge of the standing orders and knowing what needed to be done from opposition, utilising those rare opportunities that you might have had.
But you leave this place with our respect as a very effective and diligent parliamentarian, an advocate for your side of politics and someone from whom your colleagues draw great strength. That is very clear. You are a very effective parliamentary performer. On one level I am not sad that you are leaving. You have been a formidable political opponent.
To your family, I am sure they are grateful to have more time with you. I know you love travelling. We hope that the ban on international travel will soon end and it will be safe for you to explore more of the world, which I know is a great passion.
I asked my colleagues to provide some further thoughts. Those who have worked with you on committees were unanimous in their views about your diligence to those tasks, your willingness to form friendships across the aisle, sometimes unlikely friendships on issues, clearly, where committee members have approached things from very different perspectives. Ms Cheyne, in particular, wanted me to acknowledge that. She made some comments this morning to that effect.
In closing, on behalf of the Labor Party, congratulations on your career in this place. We are not so sorry that you did not get to be a minister, but you will understand why. In concluding, on a positive note, and something we do have in common, we are both from Lismore. It is a great part of the world. My best regards to your father and to all your family and friends who have gathered here today to acknowledge your very significant contribution to territory politics. This place will not be the same without you. I am glad you did not throw me out when you were Speaker. Best wishes for the future.
MR RATTENBURY (Kurrajong) (4.36), by leave: On behalf of the Greens I pay tribute to Mrs Dunne as she leaves the Assembly today and reflect on her valedictory remarks and the observations we have made about Mrs Dunne. As has been noted, Mrs Dunne has had a long career in the Assembly, and that is reflected in the knowledge she has across a broad range of issues, seemingly having an ability to join in any debate with some history of reflection on previous debates in this place or simply an experience of having spoken to a constituent or asked questions in estimates about it on a whole range of matters. That has made her one of the very significant contributors in the Liberal Party. The only other person I can think of like that is Mr Smyth, who had a similar length of service in the place and was able to jump in in a similar way.
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