Mehreen Faruqi (NSW, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This year, 2022, has been a year of really mixed emotions for me—a bit of a roller-coaster, you might say. As travel opened up, I was ecstatic to be able to visit my ammi in Pakistan and my daughter in the US, who I hadn't seen for over two years. It was a year of deep loss, as well, as my beloved cousin, Imran; my brilliant teacher, my friend and mentor, Dr Ronnie Harding; and my bestest longboy, Cosmo, all passed away, leaving a big hole in my life.

In the political world, there was upheaval too—some good, some bad. In Australia, we got rid of the toxic Morrison government, and let's not forget the 'greenslide'. In Iran, we are seeing a massive, women led revolution for justice. However, in the US there was the devastating overturning of Roe v Wade, a big step backwards for women's rights.

No matter which way you look at it, it has been a big year. We worked bloody hard, and it's time for some rest and recovery. I, for one, am really looking forward to putting my feet up for a couple of weeks and watching The White Lotus and The Newsreader. Senators might be surprised to know that I quite enjoy The Crown as well. I will be visiting my daughter in California, and I might even make use of their very progressive cannabis laws.

I'll be ready to greet 2023, reenergised to fight for climate action, for gender equity and for racial justice. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to all of you who work here and support the work we do, including the clerks, the cleaners, the chamber attendants, the committee staff.