Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Before we conclude the parliamentary year, I too want to take a quick moment to formally acknowledge and thank some of the people who've been essential to our parliament this year. First and foremost, I want to thank and recognise the Clerk of the House, Claressa Surtees. I want to thank Claressa for her expertise and the guidance she provides to me and all members, alongside Deputy Clerk Peter Banson, through the department. Your support is invaluable.

As the Prime Minister said, we welcomed 32 new members to the House this year, which was a huge amount of work in itself. So I give thanks to the work of the Department of the House of Representatives for the incredible support to all the new members as they settled into their important new roles. A thank you to the parliamentary attendants, Hansard, Broadcasting teams, Committee, the Table Office, the Serjeant-at-Arms—all of your work does not go unnoticed by the members in this place.

I also want to take a moment to acknowledge Louise Milligan, a long-serving and highly respected member of staff who passed away just last week on 20 November following a long illness. Louise began her career with the Department of the House of Representatives on 14 November 2011 and dedicated 14 years to parliamentary service. Like so many people, she has made an invaluable contribution to the Committee Office as both a researcher and senior researcher. She was greatly valued by all those who worked with her. On behalf of the House, I extend our heartfelt condolences to Louise's family, friends and colleagues.

To the Parliamentary Budget Office, led by Sam Reinhardt, and the Department of Parliamentary Services, led by Jaala Hinchcliffe: thank you to your teams for the support that you give to so many.

To my colleagues and fellow members: to be chosen by you for this role and to sit in this seat again is a profound honour and deeply humbling. Thank you for another year of commitment and contribution, and, most importantly, thank you for the respect and kindness you've shown me. To all the occupants of the Speaker's chair, and especially the Deputy Speaker, the member for Newcastle and the member for Longman, who is the second Deputy Speaker: thank you for helping to maintain order in the House. I greatly appreciate your friendship, wise counsel and support. I also want to thank the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Opposition Whip and the National Party's Whip. Leader of the Opposition, I definitely see them, and I definitely hear them.

Finally, my thanks to the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the Nationals, the Leader of the House, the Manager of Opposition Business and, of course, the crossbench, who play an important role in this chamber. It's been a massive year for all of us. I hope you each find some time to rest and recharge with your family and friends, and I look forward to seeing you again in the new year for another huge year. Merry Christmas!