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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2007-11-22 Daily Xml
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Adjournment Debate

VALEDICTORIES

The Hon. M.J. ATKINSON: I move:

That the house at its rising adjourn until Tuesday 12 February 2008.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (16:50): I seek the indulgence of the house to give the customary thanks at the end of a sitting year. It is probably an illustration of my advancing years that the year seems to have gone by so quickly. I do not know how it feels for others, but I cannot believe that it is nearly December. I wish to thank all the staff, and I congratulate the clerk and the deputy clerk of the house; they have done very well for themselves. I would like to thank the table staff, the catering staff, the attendants and Hansard. Some of us have styles that would test—

Mr Williams interjecting:

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: I'm not talking about myself, but some of us certainly have styles that would test Hansard. I think the Premier's pronunciation of Latin would often be a challenge. I did particularly try to understand the name of the fellow he claims wrote The Art of War. Of course, the member for Morphett certainly has slowed a little, but still challenges them.

I thank the library staff and acknowledge, in particular, that Maralyn Nitschke, who has been there for a very long time, is retiring next week. Unfortunately, I will not be here to attend the morning tea because I have obligations, I think, on Kangaroo Island or somewhere such as that. I thank her for the work she has done. The library does do a marvellous job. It is amazing. If people have not taken use of the capacity to ask the library a question and get an answer, they really probably do not appreciate the research capacities that we have. I wish Maralyn all the very best in the future.

Sir, can I thank you? I think you have done a wonderful job as Speaker. It would be rude of me to reflect otherwise, of course, but I think that you have done a very good job as Speaker, even though you have been a little hard on me sometimes, but probably not without some small provocation on my part. I thank the building services staff, the finance manager and staff and parliamentary counsel. I say this each year: I believe that we have the best parliamentary counsel in Australia. They do an outstanding job. They make the government's—and others—desires into very sound laws and they do very well. If anyone ever wants to understand the quality of the work they do in South Australia laws, I invite them to read some commonwealth statutes and compare the clarity and the succinctness.

I thank the government publishers, the police security, our drivers, our electoral staff, ministerial staff, those who clean our offices and place of work for us and all those others who work very hard to make our jobs easier. I also thank the families of elected members. I think they pay a large price for our participation in the democratic process. I particularly thank my beautiful wife, Tania, who has presented me with another beautiful daughter this year—each more beautiful than the next. It is a marvellous thing. I do know that people cannot do this job without the support of their family and spouses.

Mr Williams: Wait until they are 15 and bring home boys!

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: He interjected, 'Wait until they bring home boys'. I have to say that my eldest daughter is now nearly three and I pity the boys. I move:

That the time for moving the adjournment of the house be extended beyond 5pm.

Motion carried.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON: As I say, I do not know where she gets it from, but my three year old daughter is headstrong. She knows everything already and she has strong opinion. I can only say that I think she gets it from her mother! I thank the opposition for their frequent cooperation on things. It is not well-known that we often do, apart from the theatre that occurs in here, talk to each other about issues. I recognise that there are members of the opposition who will come to a minister with an issue and discuss it, and we will sort things out. It does happen: it is not often recognised.

In particular the father of the house, the member for Stuart, is very good at getting his way no matter who is in government. I think it is an extraordinary skill he has. He has a very good capacity to get things out of ministers, regardless of to which party they belong. I thank all our electorate officers, especially those for ministers. One of the downsides of being a minister is that you do not get into your electorate office as often. They deal with our constituents and they do a very good job. Certainly mine do and I know that is the case for most people in here.

I should thank the members of the fourth estate, although some days I am into the sure why. The truth is that they are conduit between us and the public, and I think, by and large, they mean well. I am not sure about that Sunday Mail with that 'Fix it Pat' stuff. I think it is a little unfair but, fortunately, I am not an overly sensitive person. I thank my new manager of government business for the house. He has come in; he has been thrown into it. I think he deals with people courteously and effectively. If there is anyone I have left out, I do apologise. I wish everyone and their families the very best. It is unbelievable that Christmas is approaching and it is unbelievably close. I do hope that everyone takes a break from what is often a far too confrontational and difficult business to spend some time in a cheerful, happy and, in my case, I hope peaceful way. I am really hoping that nothing blows up or burns down. I have had some moments, I can tell you.

I recall getting a message at 6 in the morning on New Year's day to tell me that Moomba had had a massive explosion and fire. I thought it was one of my idiot mates on his way home until all the other messages came. So I really do hope for a peaceful season and that we get in a little bit of fishing somewhere along the way. I know my wife has a very long list of jobs for me to do at home when I finally make an appearance. I will leave it at that. Thank you to everyone, and I wish everyone the very best for the break at the end of the year, although I know that will not occur for a little while.

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (17:00): I join the Minister for Transport and Manager of Government Business in wishing all those present and who are working in Parliament House a joyous and peaceful forthcoming Christmas and holiday season. I assume that giving the message at this point indicates that the optional sitting week in December is clearly off and that we are shortly to adjourn until February.

That just leaves us to acknowledge you, Mr Speaker, for the work that you do, and thank you for the management of this house. Your duties extend beyond the house and there is much business that needs to be undertaken with the receiving of, correspondence with and support of other dignitaries and parliamentary personnel who come and go in this place, and we thank you for that. I acknowledged the Deputy Speaker last year and I will do so again. She is often left with the onerous task of attending to committees, and I think she does it very well. I am probably the most difficult person to appear before her, and she does a tremendous job, often in a difficult situation.

To the Clerk of the house, we formally welcome Malcolm Lehman and look forward to his continuing advice. His tutoring advice to you, Mr Speaker, I am sure is appreciated, and we recognise the fact that he has had a long career already in Parliament House, and I expect that experience will stand him in good stead. Our Deputy Clerk, Rick Crump, of course, has joined us as well and he has also had a career in Parliament House. We appreciate the advice he is already offering to the opposition, and I am sure that is recognised. The head of the Legislative Council, Mrs Jan Davis, often has to convene and deal with issues relating to joint sittings of both houses, and I recognise the outstanding 40-year plus service that she has given to the parliament, in particular the Legislative Council, but also to us.

To the staff under the head of Dr Coral Stanley as the Parliamentary Librarian, I thank you. I wish to say that not only is an outstanding service provided by the library but also I urge members to use the service more than they currently do. It is an excellent research facility and an excellent opportunity to be able to access other library reserves around the country, and I thank them for their continued work. Mr Philip Spencer has joined us relatively recently as the head of Hansard, and he and his team work, effectively, around the clock in providing some sense in a transcript of what we produce in this house. That is a very difficult task from time to time, and I wish to thank them also. John Neldner is Finance Manager and looks after a small but robust team of workers. We thank them for their services. Denis Hixon, Building Services Manager, and his team forever have a team of people out there sawing, banging holes and doing repairs, and ensuring that the conveniences here are maintained at a top standard.

Creon Grantham ensures that we are well refreshed, well watered and well fed, and Creon and his team provide for us, at all sorts of odd hours, food and refreshment, and we thank them for that. In addition to that, which I think is unsung, is the work done to ensure that many of the guests who are welcomed to Parliament House are catered for at a very high standard. I convey to them the appreciation that we often receive, and also compliments to the chef. Lorraine Tonglee and other managers in the PNSG are also a hard-working team and I recognise their work and the prompt response that is required from time to time. We all now live in an age of heavy reliance on information systems, and their operation and continued operation is critical to what we do. So their prompt response has been appreciated.

I thank Perry Brook, who is such a darling to keep working as head attendant here and keeping all of the young bucks under control. We, of course, have wonderful people such as Joy also, and other members of the team who are terrific in providing documents and responding to requests—often, because of our own inefficiency, we are asking for them yesterday. So we thank them for that.

To the Government Whip, the deputy and their staff, and the Opposition Whip and deputy, thank you for your service in keeping the house in order. I am sure if it was left to the minister for government business and myself it would be in chaos, so I recognise that and thank them for that work. Our new member for Hammond who has joined us in parliament has stepped up to this role very well, and I particularly acknowledge that this year—not to reflect on the others, but to say that he has done fantastic and tremendous work for us, and we really appreciate that. I hope that the government representatives recognise the importance of the work he has done. Of course, the Whip is a man of experience, and he and his staff have made life and the management of this parliament flow without interference or interruption. I also acknowledge Manuel Chrisan, the new parliamentary adviser in the minister's office. He is someone we have to deal with quite often and, whilst we thank his predecessor, and I did so last year, I think Manuel is stepping into the breach pretty well, and we appreciate his liaison skills.

I particularly mention our chief staff member, Leslee Robb, who has suffered ill-health in recent times. Helen Dwyer has stepped into the breach. Leslee has received the good wishes of members of the opposition, and other members in the parliament have extended their best wishes for her recovery.

Parliamentary counsel have a difficult job to be creative and to provide something that can sensibly be interpreted by all the lawyers who are waiting out there to interpret what we pass in here. Overall, whilst I am not overly enamoured of the new practice of having little examples at the bottom of paragraphs in the legislation, obviously I am in the minority because it seems to be a practice that is developing around the country. I can certainly live with it, but the work parliamentary counsel does is, in essence, very important.

Some of us have the privilege of having drivers assigned to us, and I thank them for making sure we get to places on time. From my point of view, Patrick has been fantastic. I think we all recognise how important it is, especially for the ministers who have extremely busy schedules, to ensure that they are able to attend the many functions and undertake government business.

Staff in our electoral offices are at the coalface, dealing with the direct human contact of our constituents. I thank Lyn, Janet, Di and Sarah (who have been working in my office most recently) for their continued work. They are representative of the team out there in the field and at the coalface.

I extend my best wishes and compliments of the season to all my colleagues on both sides of the house. It is very difficult to work here when one has a young family. A number of members—yourself included, Mr Speaker—have the responsibility and pleasure of having a young family, but it does carry an extra load when it comes to the hours of employment that need to be undertaken when public life is taken on. Currently, I do not have that extra responsibility. Fortunately, mine grew up and then I moved them out, but for many members in the house it is onerous.

Our own leader has a young child living in the household, and other family responsibilities that he and his wife undertake. We want them to have a chance to make sure that, in due course, when each of us retires (whether of their own volition or involuntarily) they will not reflect on their time in public office and say that they wished they had had the chance to spend more time with their family. So I do appreciate the pressures on them.

I propose to come back a transformed person in February next year. In a matter of weeks I will be elevated to the status of grandmother—and I am looking forward to that. I will transform into a gentle, kind, quietly-spoken granny, and I will ensure that everyone knows about what I am sure will be the most important grandchild ever born. Mr Speaker, with those few words I extend to you personally a very Merry Christmas and a joyful and peaceful holiday period.

The Hon. P.F. CONLON (Elder—Minister for Transport, Minister for Infrastructure, Minister for Energy) (17:11): I did forget to thank the whips and deputy whips who do a very good job. I acknowledge that we more senior members often make their job more difficult. I am grateful for the cooperation extended to me from both sides.

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (17:11): I will respond briefly to the minister's remarks and also the remarks of my deputy leader. I also give my best wishes and thanks to the Government Whip. I have appreciated the trust—until today—that we have shared, but I am sure we will work hard to get that back on track; give us a week and it will all be fixed. Seriously, having been in this place for some years, you do not appreciate what is involved in the role of whip until you are the whip yourself, and you do need an element of trust across the house. I appreciate the cooperation I have received from the member for Torrens and, particularly, key ministers. We have established good ground rules and they are working well.

I agree with the sentiments expressed by the deputy leader. This is a community within itself and we rely on everyone in here. We depend on you and we thank you for what you do for us. I enjoy the company of almost everyone in this place—not absolutely everyone, but almost. There are always exceptions. Mr Speaker, may I commend you as a younger Speaker. I am sorry for causing you some angst sometimes. You do not yet have any grey hairs, so it can't be too bad. I wish everyone the compliments of the season and look forward to next year.

Mrs GERAGHTY (Torrens) (17:13): I extend seasons greetings to all members of this chamber, particularly to the people who work in this building. I guess sometimes we are challenging, but we thank them so much for their cooperation and assistance. I might say it is a pleasure to work with the Opposition Whip and his deputy. There have been some very interesting moments. Unfortunately, I must pick up the Opposition Whip on his comments about trust. It is not a matter of trust going awry; rather, it is a matter of being able to watch the clock and be good timekeepers. On that note, I say Merry Christmas and happy new year to all.

Mr PEDERICK (Hammond) (17:14): I wish everyone in this place a Merry Christmas. I acknowledge the deputy leader's kind words. Working with the Opposition Whip has been another year of learning. Even though we differ on barley marketing and several other things, we seem to be professional enough to be able to work together. I also acknowledge the Government Whip and deputy whip on the other side. We worked together very well last year in my learning year, and I always appreciate the assistance I get from the other side. With the Minister for Transport, when I have had to chat to him about what the hell is going on because I cannot find a whip for whatever reason, we have managed to sort something out. It is certainly good to have a dialogue. We all do not want to be here any longer than we need to be.

An honourable member: Are you going to retire?

Mr PEDERICK: No; I am not retiring. It would shock my wife far too much if I made a statement like that tonight. It is good to see that, although we do have a go at each other across the chamber, we can work together to get the business done. I wish everyone a Merry Christmas, and let's get on with it next year.

The SPEAKER: I would like to add my thanks, particularly to all the members of this chamber. I particularly thank them for cooperating with me and, on the whole, making my life fairly straightforward. It is particularly good to have the Deputy Premier, the Minister for Infrastructure, and the member for MacKillop, who are such strong examples—

Mr Venning: And the deputy leader.

The SPEAKER: —and the deputy leader—to their fellow members on parliamentary behaviour. In all seriousness, I thank all members for assisting me in sharing the proceedings of the house. I would like to thank and congratulate the clerks, Mr Lehman and Mr Crump, on their appointments. I thank them for their assistance and advice over the past 12 months. I also thank the Serjeant at Arms, Mr Paul Collett, and the table staff, Rachel and David, for their hard work in keeping records of all the proceedings of the place. Finally, I would like to thank the whips, because I am very familiar with how difficult and time consuming their jobs are when the house is sitting. I thank all members and all staff of the place, and wish them a very happy and holy Christmas.

Motion carried.

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