Query over minority pledge

Trio’s farewell to political life

FORMER Labor premier Lara Giddings says her biggest regret is that the global financial crisis prevented her government from being able to build a new Royal Hobart Hospital.

Three of the state’s bestknown politicians yesterday farewelled State Parliament ahead of their retirement at next year’s election: Ms Giddings, former minister for state growth Matthew Groom and former deputy premier David Llewellyn.

Ms Giddings told Parliament she was proud to have served in Parliament after being elected at the age of 23 in 1996 and said she hoped she might have been able to inspire others in the same way she had been inspired by her mentors.

Ms Giddings said she was particularly proud of pursuing the causes of same-sex marriage and voluntary assisted dying, of making the apology to mothers separated from their children by forced adoptions, of boosting the state’s trade and tourism focus on China and working as Treasurer during the global financial crisis.

“We worked hard to get the budget right, we worked hard to do what we could to soften the blows of the GFC on the Tasmanian economy,” she said.

“My biggest regret was the fact that the GFC meant we could not go ahead with a brand new Royal Hobart Hospital,” she said, citing the $1.8 million in lost GST payments.

She thanked her parents, staff and former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett who was present for the speech.

She fought tears as she said she hoped she might one day be a role model for her unborn daughter.

“I hope she is proud of her mum in the same way I am so very proud of my mum, who has been such a strong role model for me in my life, and most importantly, my political pal.”

Mr Groom said his decision to leave politics after eight years was a personal one, prompted by his devotion to his family and the toll his work took on family life. “They’re here for me at this time and I wouldn’t have had it any other way and I want to thank them from the bottom of my heart,” he said.

He said one of the things he was gratified about at the end of his time in politics was how people interstate now viewed Tasmania.

“The rest of Australia sees a confident state that is going places. I think, in many respects, Tasmania has become the envy of the nation.”

Mr Llewellyn said his greatest joy in politics had been assisting constituents who needed help and thanked those who had supported him over his 40-year career.

Premier Will Hodgman paid tribute to Ms Giddings as a groundbreaker and role model; to Mr Groom as a passionate, intelligent and hardworking minister and to Mr Llewelyn for his long and dedicated service to the people of Tasmania.