Felicitations
Mr HAYES (Southern Metropolitan) (10:51): This is not a valedictory, but I would like to take the opportunity in my last members statement for the year to say thanks from me and from the Sustainable Australia Party and to reflect on this term in Parliament. I think we have raised awareness of the negative impacts of overpopulation and the impact it has had on planning, as put forward in the inquiry into the planning system, and on the environment, as indicated in the inquiry into habitat decline. Both of these inquiries we took a major part in. Unfortunately one of the major reforms we sought has gone backwards, and that is planning democracy, which has deteriorated under this government. Our efforts to bring these issues into the planning scheme have been fiercely resisted by the major parties. The Sustainable Australia Party will continue to fight for residents in their battle against overdevelopment, for their environment and against corruption. I would like to say thanks to the President; the clerks—Andrew, all the best; he has gone already; our chamber staff; our state public servants; Michael Baker and his staff on the Environment and Planning Committee; the chamber attendants; the catering staff; my own staff, Sophie, Rowan, Candy, Paul and Mia; the hundreds, if not thousands, of our supporters out there; and to all of you too, particularly the crossbench. When I came here, I was really surprised to see how friendly and cooperative and respectful all of the members of this house are to each other, and I really commend that and hope it continues. Good luck in the coming election.