Wilson Margaret: Adjournment 
Wilson Margaret: Adjournment 
[Volume:650;Page:19304] 
Madam SPEAKER 
: As the 2008 parliamentary term comes to a close we also as members have noted come to the end of the forty-eighth Parliament. In the traditional way I wish to formally pay tribute to all the people who contribute to the efficient functioning of this House. 
First I must acknowledge the support of my colleague and Deputy Speaker Clem Simich who like myself is retiring at the end of this term. He has given commendable service to this House. I also thank Assistant Speaker Ross Robertson for his considerable contribution. I also thank the Hon Marian Hobbs who filled the role of Assistant Speaker earlier this year with her own refreshing style. I also acknowledge the tireless and frequently unacknowledged work of Parliament’s kaumatua and kuia John and Rose; thank you. 
Parliament could not function of course as many members have noted without the tireless work of the Clerk’s Office whose professionalism is a credit to the leadership of the Clerk Mary Harris and her senior team who oversee servicing at the Table of the House compiling  
Hansard 
 records processing legislation questions and petitions and serving on select committees. In this context it is important to acknowledge the work of the Chief Parliamentary Counsel David Noble and his team who deliver a high quality of service to this Parliament. 
Although the Chamber is the focus of parliamentary activities the activities of the House are also supported by the staff of the Parliamentary Service. It has been another year of much change for that service and I want to record my thanks for the work of Geoff Thorn the general manager who leads the team in constantly striving to provide services to members in the House. The team is a large one from inside and outside Parliament and it includes members’ support staff including executive assistants; support staff of the various parliamentary parties; the staff of the Parliamentary Library—and I am pleased that some members have acknowledged their great contribution—research units; and the Chamber and gallery officers. 
I give a special thank you to the interpreters. Soon we hope we will have simultaneous interpretation in the House. I also thank the security staff buildings services staff telephonists travel office staff and the reception and visitor services staff. I think special thanks must also go to Bellamy’s staff who often in difficult circumstances work to ensure members and their staff are well fuelled for their jobs. 
My thanks go to the Serjeant-at-Arms Brent Smith and all those who work with him to uphold the traditions and propriety of the Chamber and to welcome visitors to the parliamentary galleries. They are an essential part of the running of Parliament and events such as the highly successful open day at Parliament in October are a testimony to that. Others who work hard to ensure guests and visitors to the parliamentary complex have an enjoyable time include Beverley Cathcart and Michelle Janse and I give special thanks to them. 
I also thank the Leader of the House the Hon Dr Michael Cullen and the Opposition Leader of the House Gerry Brownlee. Leaders of all the parties in the House their deputies and the party whips and their deputies have all contributed to the smooth operation of the business of Parliament. From this position I am well aware that the life of a whip is not an easy one so I give extra special thanks to all who have taken on that responsibility. I also acknowledge the work of all members of Parliament who despite enormous workloads continue to serve this House well. I give a final and special personal thanks to my own staff: Roland Pam the two Roses and Nina. It would be impossible to do the job without them. 
Although people can now see how hard we all work through the televising of proceedings I would like to reinforce that impression with a few statistics which is also traditional. Here are the statistics for the 2005-08 session as at 24 September. We have had 246 sitting days and 258 calendar days and members can explain that difference to people who want to know. Sitting hours have totalled 1486 hours and 51 minutes. Moving to bills passed there have been 329 Government bills three members’ bills eight local bills and eight private bills. There have been 52324 written questions and 2844 oral questions asked excluding supplementary questions. There were 313 select committee meetings 883 hours and 18 minutes of meetings—those figures exclude September—and 242 select committee reports were generated. I know from the look of members that it feels like it. 
I know that members are all anxious to leave and commence the democratic cycle of electioneering so I will not delay them any longer. As this is my last appearance in the role of Speaker may I thank all who have supported me in what may be described as perhaps the most difficult refereeing role in the country. Kia ora. 
Motion agreed to.