It has been an honour to represent Canberra over the last 15 years. It is a special place - from the residential and rural areas to the south right into the old heart of the city, it is a very beautiful place, confident in itself and proud of its place at the heart of the democracy of the nation.

I want to thank the ACT Labor Party. The ACT branch is a wonderfully loyal, talented part of the ALP that makes a major contribution to the federal party in many ways. It has been an honour to be their choice to represent the people of Canberra.

I have enjoyed support from gifted and generous individuals over my career. I want to issue special thanks to Centre Coalition, my own party grouping; to the ACT trade unions, whose support I’ve always valued; and to my own staff who have worked tirelessly and effectively for me over the years.

I also want to thank Bob McMullan and Kate Lundy. We three have formed what I’d call an effective triumvirate in this territory, and I am happy to think we have grown to four recently with Mike Kelly in Eden-Monaro.