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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-09-28 Daily Xml
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Motions

Pnevmatikos, Hon. I.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:18): By leave, I move a motion without notice concerning the Hon. I. Pnevmatikos:

That this council acknowledges the meritorious service to the parliament of the Hon. Irene Pnevmatikos since March 2018.

The PRESIDENT: Attorney-General, speak to the motion.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I will sum up at the end.

The Hon. I. PNEVMATIKOS (15:19): Some in this chamber will know that I have been facing challenges with my health. These issues have recently kicked up a notch. My cancer has returned and this battle I am facing needs to be my focus going forward.

Today, I am announcing my intention to step down from my position as a member of this parliament. So this is my last chance to say something in this chamber, and no-one can stop me. But, relax, nothing I say today is likely to be anything you have not heard before. I extend the benefit of the doubt in saying that all of us come into this place to improve the lives of South Australians. Regardless of where we sit in this room, we fight to bring better conditions to the people of South Australia and, by participating in this place, uphold the values of Australian democracy.

This fight did not start with me, nor will it end with me. Each generation must not only progress but fight to build on the progress that has been made. In making this speech I went back and looked at the first time I spoke in parliament. In that speech I said that my goal is to provide a voice on behalf of the South Australian community. These words are pertinent as we find ourselves on the precipice of change. On 14 October our democracy will be tested: if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should have both constitutional recognition and a Voice to federal parliament.

Historically, these voices have not been heard. Having a voice is one thing, but being heard is more important. Democracy depends on empowering people to exercise the rights they have fought for and earned. But to have the right is not the same thing as having the ability to exercise it. We are wilfully deceiving ourselves and others each time we let this misrepresentation stand. It is part of our job here to legislate to create the conditions for these rights to be freely exercised. Healthy democracy is in peril in most of the world. There is a concerning global trend towards authoritarianism, and the fight ahead will not be easy.

The Labor Party grew out of the union movement, unlike the experience in Europe and other countries. That helps us to understand the relationship that exists between the Labor Party and the union movement. It is about protest and fighting for rights at its core. Consequently, the labour movement has grown to include other individuals and groups in our society, be they environmental, migrant and refugee, and Indigenous. My guiding principles have been to represent workers, migrant and refugee communities, women and the organisations they all belong to. That has governed how I have worked in my role here.

I offer my sincere thanks to the various organisations and groups I have worked with. I will not thank any individuals today; the people involved with those organisations know who they are. Although I cannot list you all, it was my honour to advocate for you and with you in the chamber. We are lucky to have so many organisations that represent, support and empower our multicultural communities. My thanks go to all of those communities that have welcomed me to their events in my capacity as a member of parliament. For our multicultural organisations, these events are more than just dinner and dancing, they are an opportunity to raise concerns and look for remedies to address those concerns.

These organisations work tirelessly, with the aim of making South Australia a place where language, culture and heritage is never a barrier to health or to employment. I am proud to have brought motions to this parliament regarding the struggles of the Uyghurs, Palestinians, Armenians and Cypriots, amongst others, and with the help of their respective organisations: the Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association, Australian Friends of Palestine, the Palestinian Advocacy Network and the Armenian National Committee of Australia. To have a successful multicultural society, we cannot shut the door to the past, because the past colours the present. Our history may not be shared, but it is common.

As a child of Greek migrants, I thank the ongoing support that I have received from GOCSA and the Cypriot community. I have likewise appreciated the support of the Greek Consul in helping me to keep abreast of developments in Greece and issues that are of concern to the Greek community.

I would like to thank the Law Society for their many contributions to this parliament. The support and assistance they have provided to the Legislative Review Committee has been essential. Their input has ensured that the implications of subordinate legislation are clearly thought out and understood. Lawyers for Workers SA have played a critical role in informing discussion and debate on issues that this parliament has faced concerning myriad issues, but to mention a few: Return to Work, workers compensation, industrial manslaughter legislation, health and safety law. Thank you for your hard work.

Thanks to the Commissioner for Young People's office, who have assisted me in my debates and discussions about period poverty and consent and presented a young person's perspective through their various surveys. Thank you to SACOSS, Shelter SA and the Anti-Poverty Network, who have advised and assisted on issues of housing and cost of living. My sincere thanks to the brave, intelligent and brilliant people at SAAAC. Without you, our hard-won abortion law reform may never have happened. It was their contribution, their advice and support that enabled me and others in this parliament to debate those issues on decriminalisation of abortion law in this state.

Thank you to the Working Women's Centre for their advocacy and their input on issues that impact women, particularly with relation to sexual harassment and working conditions. To the McKell Institute, which have made important contributions to various committees on issues I have been passionate about, particularly the gig economy, Return to Work and wage theft: thank you. My thanks to everyone in SIDAC and SIN; an uphill battle is yet to come, and I will help in any way I can outside of parliament. Just because I am leaving this place does not mean I will not continue to be politically active, as I have always been.

Finally, to my comrades in the union movement, led by SA Unions: I have stood by you without question. You have been an important support, particularly when we debate issues of workers compensation, workers health and safety, wage theft, the gig economy and industrial manslaughter laws. Thank you for your solidarity. Your collaboration and contribution can never be underestimated.

Now I am going to break my rules in terms of not mentioning anyone in relation to my staff. To the fabulous, intelligent and brilliant Hannah, I say thank you so much. My past and current office managers—Hannah Southcombe, Zoe Dibb and Millie Scott—have provided the means for me to be able to do my work. Whether in organising my life with appointments, events and committee work, it is because of them that I stand here. Their loyalty and support means a lot to me. Thank you to my friends and family, who have supported me throughout, both in the good times and the bad times.

Equity, justice and good conscience are the principles I live and work by. Those were the principles I measured my actions against when I entered parliament, and they are the same principles I measure myself against now. All things that endure come from a base of strength. I come from strong foundations, and so does the labour movement. I know that our founding principles are strong and worth fighting for. I know my successor will serve the people of South Australia well.

Finally—well, it is not final, but one of my final comments: the most recent scan that I had of my body revealed five cancerous spots on my lungs. That is one for each year I have served in parliament. Mere coincidence? Maybe, but I am not taking any chances. I would just like to say thank you for all the good wishes that I received through various means, including the flowers from everyone. I will say that I will not miss the Lord's Prayer, I will not miss the oath to the monarchy, and I will certainly not miss question time. Thank you.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.

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