Pat Conaghan (Cowper, National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank and farewell a colleague and fierce representative of the Mid North Coast community, the Hon. Melinda Pavey, for her incredible contributions and also to welcome Michael Kemp as the newly elected Nationals member for Oxley. Melinda has been an outspoken advocate for regional New South Wales in state parliament since her election to the Legislative Council over 20 years ago. In her maiden speech she said:

Today I stand before honourable members as a woman, a wife, a mother, a daughter, a small business person and a country girl determined to do the very best for the people of regional, rural and coastal New South Wales.

Well, Mel, you're a woman of your word, and, for the past two decades, you've served your community. Thank you for your dedication, your perseverance and your diligence. Many have rightly noted that Michael has some big shoes to fill, and I know that he will serve his community now as he has always done—with integrity, humility, passion and dedication. The people of Oxley are lucky to have you, and I look forward to working closely with you to fight for a fair go for our region. Once again, thank you to Melinda Pavey for your two decades of service, and I wish you well with your future endeavours.