Wednesday, 29 November 2023

Department of the Legislative Council

Report 2022–23

Sheena WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (17:30): I rise today to speak on the Department of the Legislative Council annual report 2022–23, and in doing so I want to take a few moments to reflect on the parliamentary year that has been, because goodness me, what a year it was. This annual report contains several incredible statistics, so if you will indulge me I would like to take a moment to share some of them with you all now. Over this last year this chamber has met 38 times for 301 hours – that is right; we have shared 301 hours together – and 4 minutes and considered 64 bills, 29 of which were initiated here in the Council, 35 of which were received from the Assembly. There were 824 questions on notice; 29 petitions with 45,500 signatories – that is lot of Victorians lending their signature in support of issues for consideration before us here; a whole bunch of annual reports, statutory rules and parliamentary committee reports; and so much more. All in all, I think it is safe to say we have had a very busy year here in this chamber.

Beyond this I want to acknowledge the significant step forward taken by the Parliament of Victoria during National Reconciliation Week this year with the launch of the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. It was not too long ago, during my first year in this place in fact, that the Parliament of Victoria committed itself to engaging with and walking alongside our First Peoples on the journey to reconciliation, as part of its 2019–22 strategic priorities. I was honoured to work with the reconciliation action plan committee to deliver on part of this commitment, and I would like to thank all the staff and committee members involved in bringing this RAP to life.

In particular I would like to acknowledge Gunditjmara, Wemba Wemba and Yorta Yorta brother Tom Day for his deadly artwork Yarkeen Mirring, which so many of us get to see every day, which was commissioned by the Victorian Parliament for use in the RAP document and for permanent display here in Parliament House, one that I know features prominently in many of the tours that take place, and so thank you to the team conducting the tours for embedding this new, exciting artwork into their work. I just need to say that every time I walk to and from this chamber I always take a moment to look at Tom’s painting, and I am reminded of the genuine commitment to coming together, to acknowledging and respecting cultures and aspirations, and this is a particular comfort to me.

In this my third year as a member of this chamber and as it draws to a close I am just as thankful as ever for the kindness and support of each and every member of the staff here in the Legislative Council, because none of the work we do could be possible without them. To the cafe and catering staff, to the security team, to the cleaners and to every wonderful Legislative Council staff member in between I say thank you. Thank you for keeping us parliamentarians – all 128 of us, including one soon to join us – and our staff well fed. Thank you for keeping our offices and this place spick-and-span. Thank you for answering our IT questions and replacing our passes when they go missing, both services that I have used more than I care to admit. Thank you for assisting each member of this place, from the oldest to the newest amongst us, as we navigate our roles and responsibilities. I would like to acknowledge the work of Robert, our new Clerk, for all he does to support our members in this place and to ensure that the parliamentary sittings go so well and our committee meetings go so smoothly. You have stepped up into some big roles, and we are very grateful that you have done that.

I will take a special moment now to extend my deepest and most heartfelt thanks to Greg. I do not know if he can hear me, but I am talking about him. Greg has been a constant here, and I have not had a chance to pay my respects and acknowledge Greg for all that he does to provide us in this place all the papers and signatures and to help us out when we need it, because I have got to tell you the place would not be the same without his constant support and encouragement.

Our job really as parliamentarians is only possible due to the hard work of the people of the Department of the Legislative Council. We would be lost without them, we truly would, and I look forward to continuing to work with the staff in the new year. But for now I extend happy holidays to everyone – and enjoy a well-deserved break.