Tuesday, 5 April 2022

Secretary, Department of Parliamentary Services

The SPEAKER (12:04): Before moving on, members will be aware that the Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services, Mr Peter Lochert, will be retiring on Monday. It is not in order to refer to members that are in the gallery, but he is in the gallery. Following a process administered by the two clerks, Andrew Young and Bridget Noonan, the President and I have now appointed Ms Trish Burrows as the next secretary of the department. The recruitment process included a selection panel which included the Honourable Tony Smith MP, former Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Ms Julia Griffith PSM, former deputy commissioner of the Victorian Public Sector Commission. I want to thank both of these highly respected individuals for their contribution to the process along with our two clerks.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Peter for his nearly two decades of service to the Parliament of Victoria, 12 years of which have been as secretary. Peter has passionately led a number of initiatives throughout his tenure, including several major refurbishment projects, which have helped to improve this building and to bring it up to contemporary safety and access standards while improving the amenity of the building for all visitors, members and staff. This beautiful building belongs to the Victorian people, and it has been enhanced and restored under Peter’s leadership for future generations to enjoy. Peter has also led the Department of Parliamentary Services through significant change in response to evolving member requirements, community expectations, new legislation, increasing risks to security and the global pandemic. On behalf of members I want to wish Peter and his wife, Jenny, well for their retirement.

Members applauded.