Page 2303 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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members of the Assembly, and getting us here. The work that we do is not possible without the time that you give to the cause.
Opposition certainly has its ups and downs, from the work we do on committees to the issues that we often battle out in here. One of the more interesting times this term for me—and I do not recommend anyone else try this—was chairing an estimates committee when all of your staff go down sick and you have a four-week-old baby at home. Not the wisest choice I have ever made, but you do live and learn!
It is probably right here to again pay tribute to Steve Doszpot, who, when I first joined the party, was my local member and then became a great friend and colleague in this place. He continues to be missed to this day.
I have had the humbling opportunity to represent my colleagues as the party whip over the last four years. At times it is an interesting challenge, taking what can be sometimes unreasonable expectations into negotiation with the government. That is second only to having to come and broker the unreasonable expectations of the government back to you.
I must say, though, that the role of whip has certainly helped me forge some interesting relationships. Certainly, Madam Speaker, you and I have grown a little fonder of each other than we once were. At least we can talk when we are at a shopping centre these days, which is a far cry from where we were four years ago. Likewise, Mr Rattenbury, I must admit, despite our probably not agreeing on much in politics, you are probably one of the few people I would be happy to sit down and have a beer with one day. We do get on, on a certain level.
The person I have had the most to do with in my role as whip has been Ms Cheyne. I must say thank you for what have been the fun and games we have often had to deal with as we have sought to make sure that this place operates effectively. I also acknowledge the work that Nick in your office has done in often brokering pairs at very short notice.
To my staff, those that have been with me through this term, Sally, Jenna, Brandon, Felicity, Tommy, Michael, Kerry-Ann and Laura, thank you for the work that you have done to contribute to the office over the term. Likewise to my current team of Jack, Jess, Brendan, and Julie, thank you. As well, I need to pay special tribute to Kate Davis, who has been with me since the very beginning and has been by my side at every step of what I have done in the Assembly. It is often a commitment that she makes to me at her own personal detriment and I am dearly grateful for what she sacrifices not just to help me succeed in my career but also for the Liberal cause.
None of this, though, is possible without the support of my family. I know a number of us have touched on that support. As I mentioned before, there was a new addition to my family this term. We are now a family of four, with Piper and Sophia, and Christine bearing the biggest brunt of raising those girls in what is often the absence that we have from family. I thank you, Christine, for everything that you have done in standing by me as I continue this harebrained idea of a political career.
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