Tuesday, 2 December 2025

 Sonja TERPSTRA (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (13:58): President, I wish to make a members statement today in regard to you. Members in this chamber may be aware that the Honourable Shaun Leane has indicated he will not be recontesting the 2026 election. I just want to thank you, President, for all of your service to not only the people of Victoria but of course this place in the Parliament and for doing an excellent job as the Presiding Officer in here. It is a difficult job, as many of us would appreciate, but it has been really a privilege to work with you in this place but also in my electorate of the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. Since I came into Parliament in 2018 Shaun has been one of the most generous, kind, funny and principled people I have had the privilege of being able to work with, and he has been an excellent friend, colleague and comrade. I know personally I will miss working with Shaun in my region, and I know many of us will also miss working with Shaun. He is one of the funniest people that I have ever had the privilege of working with. We have definitely enjoyed working together, along with my colleagues in the other place in the North-Eastern Metropolitan Region. President, I just want to thank you again for your service to this government, to the Labor Party, to the Victorian Labor government and to this place and to wish you all the very best for whatever future endeavours you choose to participate in. I am sure the next chapter will be just as interesting as the previous ones. I want to wish you all the very best and thank you.