Address in Reply

Address in Reply

Adjourned debate on motion for adoption (resumed on motion).

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (17:26): I would like to commend the Governor, Her Excellency Frances Adamson AC, on the outstanding address to the parliament—outstanding in the way she delivered it potentially more than my commendation of the writing or the Labor government's policy agenda contained therein. Her Excellency delivered it faultlessly, as indeed fits her service to our state since being appointed as Governor, our nation and indeed the commonwealth of peace-loving nations in her work leading up to her appointment as Governor.

Every time I am given the opportunity to participate in events at Government House, most recently in assisting Her Excellency and those other dignitaries present in the commendation of awards, Australia Day honours bestowed upon outstanding South Australians, I always bear in mind that career of service. I know that the support and counsel she gave to us in government over the period of several months while she was the Governor in the last months of the Marshall Liberal government were always outstanding and wise. I am certain that wisdom will continue to support the work of the new government. I think they will find it a great benefit to their government when members are in Executive Council.

I am not certain whether the new government has maintained the tradition where possible of having Executive Council with the entire cabinet. I can provide advice to the leader of the house that, if they are not doing that, I encourage them to do so from time to time. I think that they will find Her Excellency's reflections on issues of the day always pertinent, wise, useful and always in the service of the people of South Australia. I thank her for undertaking that role and her service and for also continuing to open up Government House to our South Australian community. In reflecting on the Address in Reply, not unusually I also think about those members of parliament who are no longer with us. I commend, of course, all members in the service of the house who have been elected and congratulate them on their election. I hope that all will find in this role a reward, a sense of fulfilment in the service of their constituents and will keep those constituents front and centre in their mind whenever carrying out their duties.

As we have just been reminded by the member for Bragg in her valedictory speech, we exist here in the service of others only and not for ourselves. Certainly, those members who take the opportunity to come to this place reflecting on their predecessors and the services they offered I commend them for doing so, and I note that in the members for Schubert, the member for Flinders and the member for Frome's maiden speeches. The member for Frome particularly reflected on the Hon. Dan van Holst Pellekaan's service as the former member for Stuart, but with the boundary redistribution nevertheless a preceding member. I also noticed some of the new Labor members reflecting on the service of those who came before and commend those who did so.

Rachel Sanderson, Richard Harvey, Paula Luethen, Carolyn Power, Steve Murray, Corey Wingard and Dan van Holst Pellekaan were all government members who lost their seats in the last election. I have the utmost regard for them. I had different relationships with all of them. They all brought something different to this house, but the thing they shared in common was an absolute desire to serve the South Australian community through the parliamentary service that they offered. Their experiences were different, but their passion for this state and the values that they held dear were absolutely consistent among them all. I commend them for that service. I seek leave to continue my remarks on another occasion.

Leave granted; debate adjourned.