Page 2313 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
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MS CHEYNE (Ginninderra) (8.01): In my first speech I promised to be committed, available and accessible, to be energetic and hardworking and to get things done. It is for others to judge these things in the coming weeks, but I can promise that I have not taken a day for granted.
In that inaugural speech I spoke with pride about issues I had championed and was excited to get done: kerbside bulky waste pick-up, green bins, the completion of the Belconnen Arts Centre and the implementation of ideas in the Belconnen town centre master plan, like the Belco bikeway. There is now a firm tick against each of these.
But that was just the beginning. From bins and bags at Palmerville Heritage Park to the demolition of the old Bupa site in Aranda, small or large, these things have mattered and I am proud to have got them done.
Then there are the things that you cannot see or touch: the absolute elation when the poll on marriage equality came through and then when the legislation passed; the pride I felt at the graduations of people who I have supported to retrain in different professions; the feeling of camaraderie and hard work over the hours on the barbecue at a school fete or at Bunnings, or with the Belconnen Lions; the trust people have given me with their stories, some deeply personal and confronting; the honour I have had to speak in this place about the achievements of constituents and community groups; and the special privilege to place on the territory’s permanent record the contributions of people who have died, many my friends.
Not many people become whip with no parliamentary experience. I have been very lucky to be in the company of other whips and a Speaker who work collegiately. To Mr Wall, and Kate Davis: we have an understanding and appreciation of each other in this role that I cannot quite put into words.
In four years I have had a stint on 13 committees. I finish in this place on five and have been deputy chair of six and chair of two. The numbers do not speak for what has been achieved across all of those. I thank everyone I have worked with, especially all those behind the scenes.
In this chamber I have spoken about issues I deeply care about. I certainly did not expect to make national news about having an STI a decade ago. There is no shame in being honest about sexual health. I reiterate now just how important sexual health is. It meant a great deal to me that the very first piece of legislation I introduced, and had passed unanimously, meant so much to so many families.
I am proud that in this term we have spoken more about territory rights and voluntary assisted dying than ever before. I will continue to back this 100 per cent because I know how much it means to Canberrans. And we will make it mean something to those federal parliamentarians too.
To Mrs Dunne and to Ms Le Couteur, I will genuinely miss you, however frustrated I have been at times. We have spent a lot of time together and I have got to know you well and deeply respect you both. This place just will not be the same without you.
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