Thursday, 30 November 2023

 Mary-Anne THOMAS (Macedon – Leader of the House, Minister for Health, Minister for Health Infrastructure, Minister for Ambulance Services) (18:03): Before everyone leaves the chamber, could I take this opportunity on behalf of all members to thank you, Speaker, for your leadership and guidance over the past year. Can I thank also Bridget, Vaughn and the clerks for everything that they do to ensure that this house run smoothly. As Leader of the House, can I say how much I appreciate your timely advice and all of the support that you give to me in my role. But not just that – I know that all members of the house who are looking to bone up their knowledge and understanding of the arcane rules of this place know that you hold it all. And of course the work that you do to support the parliamentary committees is also very much appreciated by everyone in this place.

I see our good friends from Hansard, the attendants – all of the staff. We thank you so much. We roll this one out every year, so why not do it again? We thank Hansard for making everything that we say in here actually sound mildly sensible when we read it back, so we very much appreciate that.

For all of the staff here at Parliament House it has been a big and busy year, with two by-elections in one year. We know that that is certainly creates challenges for the parliamentary staff, and we thank them for that.

On behalf of the Labor Party, can I take this opportunity from the government benches to wish all of our colleagues – the Greens, the Liberals and the Nationals – a safe and happy Christmas. Season’s greetings to you all, and we look forward to seeing you, if not beforehand, certainly back here in February sometime. Thank you. Merry Christmas to everyone.

 John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (18:05): On behalf of the Liberals and Nationals can I join with the Minister for Health in thanking all of the parliamentary staff, starting with the clerks. We very much admire the way you pretend to enjoy our wit and our oratory and our humility, but we do genuinely thank you for all of the work you and your staff undertake to make this Parliament work. We are very grateful for that.

To the library staff, to the Hansard staff and to the catering staff, who politely laugh at our jokes when we order coffee and our meals, we greatly appreciate you.

Brad Battin: You tell a lot of jokes.

John PESUTTO: I do, member for Berwick. To the cleaning staff of the Parliament, to them and their families, I want them to understand – and I think I can say this on behalf of all members – that we greatly appreciate the work that you do around this Parliament. When we see you undertaking your duties, know that we are very grateful for all of the work that you do on our behalf.

Speaker, to you: you know that we often get upset that we do not seem to get the same treatment as those opposite – you know that – and you know that we argue for a broader interpretation of that relevance rule, but for all of that, Speaker, we know you still like us.

Peter Walsh interjected.

John PESUTTO: The gardeners too – I have been reminded by the Leader of the Nationals to thank the gardeners around Parliament and all of the parliamentary staff.

To our friends opposite: we know the battle is spirited and willing, but I think we like you a little bit too, and we want you to have a safe and relaxing break.

Merry Christmas and happy new year if you celebrate Christmas, or if you do not, we wish you all the best for the festive season, and we look forward to joining you in this place next year. A merry Christmas and a happy new year to all.