Thursday, 28 November 2024

Adjournment

Felicitations

The SPEAKER (17:16): I ask members to stay in their places for one moment. I would like to thank you all for your contributions in the house this year, and I would like to sincerely thank your staff in the Parliament and electorate offices for their very hard work in supporting you as MPs and keeping the gears turning every day.

To the clerks, Bridget, Vaughn, Joel, and your wonderful teams, thank you for keeping the house moving and for your patience with us all. The papers office, the procedures office, the admin staff – nothing happens in this chamber without you. Your work is rarely publicly visible, and the fact that the business of this place often seems so effortless is a testament to your professionalism. To Joel in particular, I know I speak for all MPs when I wish you a fast recovery. We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the chamber next year.

To the Department of Parliamentary Services, so ably run under the leadership of Trish Burrows, you keep every facet of our lives moving every day, and we could not do our jobs as members without your efforts. Trish, to you and your team, Matt, Paul, Lisa, Adam, Russell, Catherine and Tina, thank you for supporting all our work as members of Parliament.

To the Serjeant-at-Arms, Paul and his team, thank you for all of your efforts, especially for juggling the hundreds of events that bring the community into the people’s house every year. On a personal note, I would like to acknowledge Naomi Moore from the Serjeant’s office, who has acted as my adviser this year. Thank you for the time you spent in my office assisting me.

To Carolyn Macvean and the library team, the research and technical support you provide to members and their staff is invaluable. To the security team, led by Adam Incher, thank you for your tireless efforts this year to keep us safe, especially in the face of growing challenges that you have adapted to so quickly and efficiently. I would also like to thank the PSOs for their presence in the Parliament and for the unique experience and perspective they provide to ensuring the security of our Parliament and the precinct.

To James Scott and the Hansard team, you are the link between this place and the public. The records you keep, the broadcasts and the commitment to making our Parliament accessible to everybody in our state and beyond is crucial to the public connection to democracy. I am so grateful for the early starts and late nights and passion and commitment you put in, and you all look great in your bowties today. I love this tradition that you all embrace.

To the buildings and grounds team, led by John Fothergill, we are privileged every day to call this place our workplace. Your responsiveness and care in maintaining this historic building is a credit to you all. Thank you for making this such a wonderful space not only for MPs but for the public, who are fortunate to enjoy it almost every day.

To the catering team, led by Paul McConville, anyone that has had a meal at Parliament or enjoyed a catered event knows the extremely high quality of your work. We enjoy genuinely world-class cuisine here at Parliament, and my sincere thanks to you not just for keeping us fed but also for the experience that you afford every person that passes through our doors and for the thousands of coffees you have made.

To the IT team, you have provided my office in particular with an incredibly efficient and reliable service over the last year. I would like to particularly acknowledge Chris Prasad for the time he has spent ensuring that our offices run smoothly. Thank you for your efforts.

To the team in the Legislative Council – that place that we never visit – including the Clerk Robert McDonald, his deputies and the Usher of the Black Rod, thank you for your collaboration, especially with our procedural and events team. Of course to my fellow Presiding Officer in the other place the Honourable Shaun Leane, I am extremely grateful for the partnership we share, and thank you for all your time and support this year.

To the acting chairs, the members for Clarinda, Yan Yean, Hastings, Glen Waverley, Bayswater, Frankston, Bellarine, Wendouree, Shepparton, Greenvale, Box Hill, Narracan, Monbulk and Preston, thank you. Big thanks to my Deputy Speaker, the member for Ashwood. I am extremely grateful for the professionalism, dedication and time you give to your role, which makes this house run as efficiently as possible. Thank you for the important role you play in this place.

I would like to give a particular special shout-out to the tours and customer service unit staff, led by Audrey Lin. You not only support us here in the house but are the face of our Parliament to the public. You lead the tours, you welcome our guests and you so patiently and kindly support our teams. To Audrey, Mark, Ros, Jeremy, Baron, Bronwyn, Glen, Grace, Vicki, Justin, James, Karl and Julia: we cannot thank you enough.

On a personal note I would like to thank my electorate office staff in Bendigo West. Thank you for the support you provide not only to me but to our wonderful, vibrant community. And to Tom Bennett, my adviser, who has only been in the role for six months but has already 100 per cent owned it: thank you so much for your dedication and commitment and support, and I forgive you for not loving Christmas as much as I do.

Members, I hope you have a happy Christmas and a safe new year. I look forward to seeing you in February, and I hope that 2025 is a good year for all of you.