VALEDICTORIES

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (17:49): As Opposition Whip, I want to thank all members and their staff for their cooperation during the year. I have been here for 18 years, and you need to be in this position to be able to understand the complexities and the mechanics of running this place, particularly in your position, Mr Speaker and that of our clerks. I thank them all for their cooperation, particularly you, Mr Speaker, and your patience with us. You have certainly brought youthful enthusiasm to the position.

I particularly thank very much the Government Whip (Robyn Geraghty). There has to be some trust in these jobs, and I think that between Ms Geraghty and me—

Mr Pederick: Does she trust you, Ivan?

Mr VENNING: I think she does trust me—I certainly trust her—but it is probably a two-thirds: one-third thing. We have a very good relationship. A fair bit goes on between us that a lot of people in this house would not know about—nor do they need to know about—in relation to pairs, who is here and who is not here, who slipped out when they should not have done and so on. It is a trust thing, and while it works it works.

I also congratulate my leader and his staff, who have had a very good year, and the cooperation they have given to me and my colleagues. They are all my friends. I have been here for 18 years, and I have to say that the group I work with now is as good as I have known, with a very good range of people. I thank all those unsung heroes in Parliament House who support us and put up with us and all our vagaries. There is nothing worse than having to put up with elected members.

Finally, I thank all those people in this house who serve us at all levels—those in the car park, the clerks, the librarians, the catering staff and those in the bar—to make this place a second home and very hard for us to leave. I thank you all for your cooperation and look forward to an interesting year next year which, of course, is prior to the election. I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas.

Motion carried.

At 17:52 the house adjourned until Tuesday 3 February 2009 at 11:00.