I would like to acknowledge and congratulate Brisbane Lord Mayor and good friend Graham Quirk on a stellar career in local government.
Leading Australia’s largest council is no easy task for anyone. However, Graham has performed the job with integrity, unflagging enthusiasm and rigour. He has used his time as Lord Mayor to guide the development of Brisbane into one of the world’s most dynamic and liveable cities, whilst at the same time, keeping the interests of the community very much at the forefront of his deliberations.
I have had the privilege to work closely with Graham over the course of the last seven years – both through the Council of Mayors South East Queensland (which Graham chairs) and more recently, as President of the LGAQ. His leadership and professionalism in SEQ is remarkable and he has always been an outstanding advocate for both Brisbane and SEQ and our collective interests.
Arguably one of his greatest legacies will be his work to bring the Commonwealth Government to the table to agree to negotiate a City Deal for SEQ with the Queensland Government and the Council of Mayors SEQ. His diligence in this matter is something that all of SEQ will ultimately benefit from in the years ahead.
Graham has much to be proud of, but a distinguishing feature of his time in public life has been his ability to maintain the respect of all sides of politics. For someone who has spent so much of his life in the rough and tumble of party politics, that is a rare and admirable quality.
On behalf of all councils in Queensland, I wish Graham and his family all the best for the future.