2022 Valedictory Speech

In my valedictory speech for 2022, I thanked the people in my electorate who have given me their trust to be their voice in the Legislative Assembly. I likewise thanked those who have shared insights and knowledge with me in relation to my four portfolios.

I also thanked my staff – Brett, Joseph, and Sylvia – for their talents, skills, support, and unique senses of humour. Lastly, I thanked my five kids, who have been absolute rockstars this year. Every day I am grateful for the trust and the privilege it is to be their mother. I am the happiest and luckiest woman in the world.

Click on the arrow button to read my speech.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to the people in my electorate who have given me their trust to be their voice and a representative in the Legislative Assembly. It has been great getting to know them through emails, letters and meeting them at the shops, including Woolworths, Aldi and Coles cashiers. Thank you for stopping by for a chat. I also want to acknowledge and give thanks to the stakeholders and the people of Canberra who have engaged with me in regard to my portfolios of Correction Services; Families, Youth and Community Services; Domestic Violence; and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. Thank you for your insights, guidance, and brilliant, brilliant knowledge in these areas.

I want to thank the Committee Office, particularly the PAC secretaries in the past, who were incredibly helpful with our many PAC inquiries and work. I wish to thank you and I am looking forward to working with Sophie, who is our newest PAC secretary. I really, really appreciate the hard work each secretary has given to me and also to my committee members in regard to the work we do in our committee.

I also want to thank my excellent staff and friends, Brett—it just so happens to be his birthday today, so birthday shout-out to Brett Baker—Joseph and Sylvia. This trio are amazing, and I simply could not do what I do in the office as well as my electorate without these three amazing individuals. I am very grateful to each of them. They all have their very special talents, skills and unique senses of humour that make my team incredible. I must say, one of my favourite things of the day is our daily staff meeting.

Leaving the best for last, I want to give thanks to my family. My kids have been absolute rockstars and inspiring youngsters this year. Cormac, Utopia, Virtue, Manti and Laneah are sweet, sweet souls, each with their own uniqueness, aspirations, talents, skills and kindness. I do not know how I got lucky to be their mother, but it is the greatest job in the world to be a mum. Every day I am grateful for the trust and the privilege it is to be their mother.

Juggling motherhood and working is not always easy or fun, but my kids have risen to the occasion. I am amazed at their resilience, their determination, hard work, and thoughtfulness. It does not take a lot for me to have a great day. When I get home after a long day and the kids have done the washing and cooked dinner, I am the happiest woman in the world. Just two simple things, and I am satisfied. I am happy. So I want to thank my kids for making me the happiest and luckiest woman in the world. Thank you.