Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I would like to thank my colleague, the member for Flinders, for allowing me to stand up. The year 2008 has been an historic year for our nation. This year we have seen starkly what we have created with our increasingly interconnected world. The global financial crisis started in the United States but had an immediate impact on markets around the world. I have spoken twice on this matter in parliament this year and still maintain that we need to act in genuine bipartisanship. Beijing’s successful hosting of the Olympic Games in August symbolised the rise in the prominence of the Asian giant. The world order is changing.

This year has been significant for me as my first year in parliament. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the members on my side of the House for the support that they have given me during the year and also the members on the other side who have put forward their hand in friendship, helped me, spoken to me and encouraged me along the way. My staff in the East Victoria Park electorate office have worked exceptionally hard. I would like to also thank my head office manager, Karen McGrath, for the excellent work that she has done for me during the year. My constituents have been particularly affected by the housing affordability crisis this year, and we have often used Centrelink and people from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to help them as well, so I thank the people in those two areas.

During my maiden speech, I spoke about how important family is, and I would also like to mention my son Jarrad, who lives with me. I am a single father, and he has understood the time we have spent apart during this year and the reason I have to travel. I would like to thank him for his patience and say that I do miss him while I am away. I would also like to mention that my niece Rosie Massey is in the House today. She has been up here for work experience for the week and has been of tremendous assistance to me. It is great to have a family member here. I did not spend time with her when she was growing up, but it is great to see she has turned into a lovely young lady and she has been of assistance this week, so I hope to see more of her in the future.

I would also like to thank the Liberal Party—Chris Ellison particularly, who retired this week. During the campaign he was of much assistance to me, guiding me in certain ways that helped me win the seat, and I congratulate him and wish him all the best in the future.

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