Hansard debates

Mr EIDEH (Western Metropolitan) (17:52:27) — I want to thank you, President. I delivered my inaugural speech in the Parliament on 20 December 2006, almost 12 years ago. In my inaugural speech I outlined my vision for Western Metropolitan Region. I clearly defined that I wanted to see Western Metropolitan Region as being a community that is both cohesive and diverse, where all people have the opportunity to access a good education, meaningful employment, decent health and transport services, safety and security, and the best environment to develop personal, family and community harmony.

Over the past 12 years I have had the privilege and the great opportunity to be part of the Bracks, Brumby and Andrews Labor governments. I advocated strongly with my Labor colleagues to ensure that the west gets its fair share of investments and is not forgotten and left out. I worked tirelessly together with my Labor colleagues to ensure that we built the West Gate tunnel, the metro rail tunnel and the $200 million Joan Kirner Women's and Children's Hospital, and removed some of Victoria's most dangerous level crossings such as Main Road, St Albans, and Furlong Road, St Albans.

I am proud to be part of the Bracks, Brumby and Andrews Labor governments' record investments in Melbourne's west, especially in schools and education, health, transport systems and other vital community needs. But as we well know, there is a lot more to be done and the work is still not completed.

I am honoured to be have been part of the Andrews Labor government, which rescued TAFE and ensured that thousands of jobs have been created through local infrastructure projects. I was delighted by the recent announcement from the Premier regarding the new $220 million Building Better TAFEs Fund that will see facilities and campuses rebuilt around Victoria, making sure that every community has a great TAFE.

Only Labor governments care and invest for the west. It has not always been easy for me. Like many people, I have had challenges along the way. Despite all the challenges, I continued to work hard to represent the needs of the residents of Western Metropolitan Region. I know very well that individuals come and go and that what matters the most is the legacy we leave behind for future generations. I sincerely believe that I have given everything I can to make a positive impact on people's lives. I wish to thank the people of Western Metropolitan Region for electing me and entrusting me to represent them in the Legislative Council for the past 12 years. They have given me the opportunity to meet with individuals who touch people's lives in many different ways. I have been able to meet some great people who have enriched my life. I have personally learned a lot from them. I look forward to sharing my experiences and my learnings with the communities of the west and hope to make positive contributions in a different capacity.

It has been a real honour to have been able to represent this great region in the Victorian Parliament. It has also been a great privilege to be the first Syrian-Arab Australian to be elected to serve in the Victorian Parliament. I hope that I have been able to open up the pathway for other young Syrian-Arab Australians to enter the Parliament in the future. I leave the Victorian Parliament knowing that Western Metropolitan Region is a much better place to live and work in than it was when I was first elected to Parliament.

I take this opportunity to thank my past and present parliamentary colleagues. In particular, I wish to acknowledge and thank you, President, for the support you have given me during my time here in Parliament as a member and also as a Deputy President. I highly respect you, President, for your honesty and integrity. Also I wish to acknowledge and thank the clerks of the Parliament, who have given me great assistance and guidance during my term as a Deputy President. In particular, to Andrew Young and Anne Sargent, I really appreciate your support. Thank you.

I also would like to thank all the attendants, the Hansard staff, the table office staff, the library and research staff, the catering staff, the security staff and protective services officers for their hard work and dedicated support. Further I would like to thank Jacqueline, from my office, for her assistance and support over the recent months.

I would like to acknowledge and thank a few personal friends and colleagues. The first of them is my dear friend and colleague Cesar Melhem, who I have had the opportunity to work closely with in representing the needs of Western Metropolitan Region. Together we have had many discussions and worked tirelessly to make the west a better place. Cesar, I thank you for your friendship, camaraderie, support and assistance and wish you all the very best in continuing to represent the needs of the west.

I also want to thank my close friend and colleague Nazih Elasmar. Nazih and I assumed office together and he has been here for most of my journey in Parliament. Nazih has been with me ever since the beginning, has worked tirelessly to support the needs of his constituents and has strongly represented the needs of the communities in Northern Metropolitan Region. I wish Nazih and his family all the very best with their future endeavours. Thank you, Nazih.

I thank the Leader of the House and Special Minister of State, the Honourable Gavin Jennings, for his support, advice and guidance, which greatly assisted me to make the right decisions during challenging and difficult times. I wish Gavin all the best for his future, and I admire the work he has been doing day in, day out for our great state, Victoria. Thank you, Gavin.

I also want to acknowledge my strong appreciation of and respect for my close friend Senator the Honourable Kim Carr. Senator Carr has provided me with his unwavering support, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his guidance and friendship.

After Parliament I look forward to returning to my family business, of which I am very proud. I will do my best to contribute to the growth of the Victorian economy through my business and also contribute to our great state of Victoria in many, many other ways.

Everyone here knows of my passion for the Essendon Football Club, and I look forward to a bigger and better 2019 for the mighty Bombers and also to seeing some of you at the games next year.

I promise you, my colleagues, that I will not be far from you all. I will visit Parliament from time to time to refresh our memories. I have made many friends here, and I know that those friendships will stand the test of time.

I wish to say a few words about my family. If it was not for the support of my family, I would not have been able to achieve what I have achieved in Parliament and in my life in general. Now I am looking forward to spending more time with my family and my eight-year-old daughter, Rihanna.

Finally, I wish Ingrid Stitt, a likely new member for the Western Metropolitan Region, all the very best. I am certain she will be an important and valuable team member for the future Daniel Andrews Labor government. I sincerely hope that the Andrews Labor government is returned on 24 November of this year to give Labor the opportunity to continue to deliver for the people of Victoria.

Honourable members applauded.