I pay tribute to my parliamentary colleague and friend, Sharon Grierson MP, who has announced her retirement from politics after 12 years as Member for Newcastle.
Sharon has been a diligent servant of the people of Newcastle and a passionate ambassador for the Hunter as a region of opportunity fuelled by research, innovation and urban renewal.
She has worked hard to secure jobs and investment, including more than $2 billion worth of Commonwealth funding for facilities and infrastructure - an outstanding record.
The seat of Newcastle is one of the original electorates, created at the time of Federation, and has had only five Members in its entire history, all of them Labor.
Sharon has been a wonderful custodian of that tradition, describing herself in her first speech as “a proud daughter of the noble working class of Newcastle”.
That ethos has driven Sharon to stand up for workers' rights, for the needs of families and pensioners and for those doing it tough.
As a former teacher and school principal, Sharon has worked tirelessly to ensure every child in our nation receives a great education, no matter what their circumstances or background.
She has never shrunk from wearing her values of compassion and social justice on her sleeve.
It has been an honour to work with Sharon in making Labor's vision a reality in the Hunter and right across our land.
Sharon will leave office with my sincere thanks and my very best wishes for the future.