Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Ministers statements: Andrew Crisp

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:06): I am going to use my minister’s statement today to update the house on the distinguished career of Andrew Crisp AM APM, a 45-year respected career that is underpinned by an unwavering commitment to keep Victorians safe. This Friday is the end of Andrew’s five-year term as emergency management commissioner. ‘Andrew’ sounds weird. I always call him Crispy, so I am going to call him Crispy in here as well. Sorry about the lack of formality, but he is not an Andrew. He does not look like an Andrew. It is Crispy.

He is a strong and loyal leader with exceptional judgement and an unwavering commitment to community safety and diversity as well as inclusion. Over the last five years and indeed the 40 years prior with Victoria Police, including as deputy commissioner, Crispy has demonstrated exemplary leadership and collaboration in the emergency management sector and across government and, importantly, with the community members that rely on him. He has been a calm and familiar face for Victorians during some of the most significant emergencies the state has faced, including the Black Summer bushfires, the pandemic response, the June 2021 storm event and the October 2022 flood event. He has championed inclusion and diversity in the sector and supported many women to reach their potential. Crispy listens and engages with all communities, particularly multicultural and multifaith communities.

My personal thanks to Linda, his wife, and his daughters Nicola and Chelsea for their support of him, which has allowed him to do what he does best, often taking him away from home for extended periods, and enabled him to support people in the most dire of times of need. I am personally grateful to work with such an amazing man. He has been a great support to me, particularly during the floods, but on a daily basis in my portfolio I could not have asked for a better mentor in relation to taking this role on. It has been my and many of my colleagues’ pleasure to have worked with such a knowledgeable, genuine and kind person. On behalf of the government, on behalf of my office in particular and, I am sure, on behalf of many people in this chamber, I want to say thank you. I wish you and your family all the best for the future, and I hope you get to spend much more time with Lenny.