Luke Gosling (Solomon, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

I welcome the announcement that the late Dr Valerie Asche AM is the first Territory woman to have a suburb named after her in her own right. Dr Asche was a respected microbiologist and researcher, publishing over 40 papers and leading significant research on Northern Territory relevant diseases. Dr Asche passed away in 2019. This suburb naming recognises and honours her legacy within science and research and in community service.

Valerie's husband, the Hon. Austin Asche AC, KC, passed away earlier this year. Austin had a similar life of service and achievement, recording what they call the 'Territory trifecta' of the Administrator, the Chief Justice and the Emeritus Chancellor at Charles Darwin University. I also note that Austin was a World War II veteran who served with the RAAF. For this year's CDU annual Austin Asche oration we had the wonderful Lydia Khalil as the distinguished speaker on democracy and its discontents. Her oration explored how digital polarisation, disinformation and rising extremism are reshaping democratic systems in our country.

I offer my best regards to Valerie and Austin's children, Wendy and Harry, and their family and friends.

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