Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (10:20): Today I would like to say a special thankyou to my dear friend and colleague who is retiring, Joe McCracken. Joe and I have been around the political Liberal scene for quite some time. We served on councils together – different councils, but prior to entering Parliament we were in local government. Joe has served the people of Western Victoria Region with distinction, and I am incredibly grateful for his support across the region and for his service to the Liberal Party and the people of Western Victoria Region.

I would also like to take the opportunity to thank my long-suffering family, who assist me wherever they can. Stewart mostly spends his time running and has no idea what is happening, but anyway. He is happy to be a star on TikTok, I think, more than anything else. Thank you to my amazing staff, who put up with an awful lot, my colleagues in the leadership and especially Jess Wilson – who will be an outstanding Premier after 28 November – all my shadow cabinet colleagues and every Liberal and National MP in this place, but also my colleagues across the chamber, on the crossbench and in the Labor Party. I am sure we do work very well together as best we can, although we highlight our differences at every opportunity. Also, thank you to the amazing staff of Parliament. And for the leadership that you have given us, President, thank you so much. Victoria is a great place, and democracy is a great thing, and we should cherish it as best we can.