Hansard debates

Mr HERBERT (Northern Victoria) (By leave) — I thank all members here for indulging me and allowing me, for the second time this week, to say a few words. I know it is Thursday afternoon and people are keen to get on with the business and get home to their families and loved ones, but I just want to say a few words, the reason for which will become obvious.

I want to talk a little bit about my place here in this Parliament. I was elected as the member for Eltham in the other place in 2002 and then elected as a member for Northern Victoria Region in 2014, a place my wife and I had long discussed moving to once the kids were old enough. My long-time very good friend Vicki Ward was elected to replace me in Eltham in 2014. She is a dedicated, passionate and effective local member who is very popular with caucus colleagues. She has a great future in politics, and the people of Eltham are well served to have her as a dedicated, hardworking MP. In fact many say she is much better than I was, and I would have to agree with that in many ways.

Over my 12 years as the member for Eltham, each year I would run a health campaign on issues that impacted the community most. Out of all those campaigns — and every year we would run one — I must say that the one I am the proudest of was the formation of the local Eltham prostate cancer group, which worked in raising awareness locally and helping men cope with the trauma of prostate cancer. It was good for me. I, like every man in this chamber should, have a regular check-up every year. Rare Cancers Australia came to me one year and asked me to promote their cause as very little is known about many types of cancers, the symptoms of the cancers and the devastating impact they can have on families. When I ran that campaign little did I know that I would be a victim of a rare cancer myself some years later.

My adult life has been dedicated to education, originally as a teacher at Glenroy Technical School. Then I had the good fortune to influence policy as chief of staff to the late Lynne Kosky. I also acknowledge, when it comes to education and friendship, Senator Kim Carr, who has been a very good friend of mine since our teaching days at Glenroy Tech and has always been a source of inspiration and great ideas for improving educational outcomes. In opposition I had the honour of being Labor's shadow minister for higher education, TAFE and training, being a portfolio that I loved, and I gave my all.

In mid-2013 I was diagnosed with a rare stomach cancer and underwent significant surgery to save my life. I do not speak much about that, but that is the case. Labor was gearing up for a tough election campaign and it was clear that under Dan Andrews's leadership we had a chance of forming government after only one term in opposition. Unfortunately my health was very poor — something, as I say, I have been reluctant to discuss publicly — and I realised that running for the ultra-marginal seat of Eltham and selling our TAFE message was too much. With Daniel's blessing I transferred to become a candidate for Northern Victoria Region at a time when there were many struggling TAFEs there, so it kind of worked well for me. Like Mary Wooldridge over there, I have had the benefit and the blessing of being in both houses of this Parliament, and it has been good.

Labor was elected, as you know, in 2014, and I was given the honour of becoming the Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for International Education. I was lucky enough to be immediately across my portfolio, and I got straight to work. After two incredibly tough years we had laid the foundation for reforming our TAFE and training system to a position where once again we are Australia's leader. The government as well has consolidated Victoria as Australia's number one destination for education services, which are worth well over $6 billion in exports to our state.

My wife and I chose Trentham as a place to live, and what a wonderful community it is. The friendships and community we have experienced over the past two and a half years are heartwarming. The support they have shown me is staggering.

As we all know, being a politician is immensely rewarding, but the hours and pressure can be gruelling. To be a politician in the spotlight can be tough, particularly on your family and friends. It requires 100 per cent to do this job and no less, and I am sorry to say that I no longer have 100 per cent to give. Unfortunately my health challenges, while not life threatening, continue, and I do need to spend more time looking after myself — something probably quite a few people here also need to do. And so it is now time for me to hand over the baton of representation for Northern Victoria Region to someone else. I have given notice to the Premier and the President and long before the next sitting week I will formally advise the Governor of my resignation and will not be returning to this place to speak.

I cannot leave, however, without acknowledging the exceptional work of Premier Andrews and his team. I believe this state is better with Daniel as Premier, and I look forward to attending the unveiling of the bronze statue for his three terms as Premier. I pay tribute to Minister Gayle Tierney in her roles as Minister for Training and Skills and Minister for Corrections, and offer my support whenever needed. I also pay tribute to my good friend Phil Dalidakis in his role as Minister for International Education and offer him my ongoing service. I thank my colleagues for their friendship and for their dedication to Victoria. Their friendship has had a big influence on me, and I think I am a better person for knowing them.

I thank the parliamentary staff and attendants. You are a fantastic group of people, a fantastic group of professionals, and in my mind you are the true custodians of this Parliament. I thank you for the support you have given me and the much-valued advice that you have given me, and I hope I can continue to be your friend in the future.

Lastly, I acknowledge my family. I am incredibly proud of my son, Jack, and my daughter, Eliza, and also my stepkids, Ellie, Georgia and Jarod, who I have watched grow into respectful, decent adults. Our five kids have spent their entire lives in the shadow of politics, which they have handled with grace and patience, as do many of the children of members in this place.

The job I have had over the last 15 years has been an honour, and I thank the people of Victoria for electing me and for giving me the opportunity to play my part in this state's great present and future. But right now, with a smile on my face, I intend enjoying renovating my cottage in Trentham and spending more time with my wife, Lisa, who is not only the brains of our family but also my best friend. I am very much looking forward to being the husband that she deserves. Thank you, and goodbye.

Honourable members applauded.