Wednesday, 2 August 2023

Ministers statements: Andrew Crisp

Harriet SHING (Eastern Victoria – Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Equality) (12:18): I rise today to speak about a remarkable human being. Andrew Crisp has steered this state and its communities through some of the most difficult times imaginable. He has a breadth of expertise and wisdom that few of us will ever achieve. He has decades of stewardship and leadership, and the demonstrated experience that he has shown to people in bushfires, in floods and in major emergencies has been without peer. My colleague has referred to you as ‘Crispy’. I am going to do the same thing.

You have earned and you deserve the respect and the recognition and the thanks of this state. The lives of so many people are so much better for all that you have done without expectation of recognition or reward. You have demonstrated a measure of compassion and of care in all circumstances that you have encountered. I will never forget a road to Wairewa in 2020, when the landscape was black and white around us, and how you stopped to comfort a man in a state of high distress. You met him at his level, as you have done with everyone in your public service. I will not forget you sitting on the ground hugging a dog by the name of Ember at one of the control centres. I will not forget seeing you at flood relief and recovery centres. We will not forget the contribution that you have made.

Crispy, I am going to disagree with Maya Angelou as I finish with a quote:

I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

Crispy, we will not forget what you said, we will not forget what you did, but we will never, ever forget how you have made everyone feel. Thank you and good luck.