Tuesday, 2 June 2026

 Jackson TAYLOR (Bayswater) (16:33): In the last minute of my members statement, I want to pay tribute and thank someone who has become a very close friend of mine, and that is Patrick Kelly. Today is his last day not working for me but working with me, because Pat truly worked with me. He is someone who has become a dear friend. I do absolutely love him. From a very selfish perspective, it is very sad to see him go. So many people in our community, so many school principals, so many people from across the political spectrum and right across the stakeholder group have written to Pat and thanked him for his time. Some of it is genuinely tear-jerking stuff. Pat has made an impact and has enabled me to do my job. The things that we have been able to do, I think we have done okay, and we would not have been able to do them if it was not for people like Patrick Kelly.

Patrick Kelly has been someone who has worked in successive Labor governments. He is a great man, supported by his wonderful partner Steph Krueger. My son George thinks he lives at the office. Every time we drive past, George is like, ‘Pat, Pat,’ and I am like, ‘No, mate,’ so he is going to be devastated. I wish Pat the very best of luck in his future, and I am grateful for his loyalty.