The holiday season is here already and sittings are finished for the year.

It is a time for us to catch up with family and friends and to take time out to refresh for 2010.

2009 has been a busy year and productive. Of course one doesn't achieve all one wants to achieve. On the whole I believe I have been able to achieve some positive changes for individuals through my constituency work. The Mobile Offices at the different shopping centres have been well utilised by people and I will continue this next year, commencing the 1st weekend of February.

The other part of the work that I believe is able to make a difference is the Committee work. I have recently had some changes in this area. Although I continue to chair Planning, Public Works and Territory and Municipal Services, I now sit on Health and Education as well, instead of Justice and Community Safety and Climate Change, Environment and Water. I am also back on the Assembly Arts Advisory Committee.
To view the work of the various standing and select committees you can go to http://www.parliament.act.gov.au/committees/index.asp?category=Standing&...

I have also been busy researching and proposing a number of policy initiatives in the areas of education, sport, justice, the environment and the aged. Hopefully I will have more news on these initiatives in the new year.

I am disappointed I couldn't table my draft bill regarding the regulation of Retirement Villages by the last sitting this year. I am very hopeful that this will happen early in the new year and my apologies to those of you who have been waiting so long for it to be tabled, and progress from that point.

May I take this opportunity to wish everyone a happy holiday season and new year.

See you at my next Mobile Office.

Mary.