House debates

Thursday, 30 November 2023

Statements on Indulgence

Borges, Ms Luzia

3:33 pm

Photo of Peter DuttonPeter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

Luzia, I want to say to you thank you very much for your service to this parliament and, most of all, though, your discretion, your friendship and your beautiful nature. Many here and those who have had the honour of serving in the ministry will have seen Luzia—and the double act of Anna—in the corridors. You can have a joke with them. They are wonderful people.

I first came across Luzia over 20 years ago, and we've swapped stories about our children growing up. She's seen my kids grow up in this place. We've always had a conversation about her own children over the years and grandchildren now. I probably can't convey adequately the beautiful nature of this lady and her huge work ethic. She takes a great deal of pride in what she has achieved in this building and in the support of her family over her very long career, but she is a wonderfully natured person.

I wish you all the very best into retirement. I want to say thank you very much to Marcelo, to your three children, Luzia, Isabel and Marianne, and to your son-in-law Raymond, but most importantly to your five grandchildren. I know that they are now your focus. Now that you don't have to put up with Anna anymore, you will be able to concentrate on the grandkids! We wish you every success and good health. It's a wonderful contribution that you've made.

As the Prime Minister said, you go back Bob Hawke's day. You recall fondly the comments from Paul Keating when he told his staff to treat the cleaners with respect. You said that you will never forget that, that it meant a lot to you. You also noted that you like all the PMs, but especially John Howard, who you always try to see when he visits, to give him a hug. The point of relief for all of us is that you've said to us that there will be no book published in retirement! That will be a relief to prime ministers and ministers past and present! You're a wonderful person, with a beautiful, warm heart. We wish you every good health into the future.

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