UPDATE: A spokesman for the Canberra Liberals said today that Mr Jefferey will in fact be in attendance on each of the remaining five sitting days.
The new Liberal Member for Brindabella Val Jeffery will make his maiden speech this morning in the ACT Legislative Assembly but is unlikely to be in attendance for the remaining six sitting days before the ACT election, having arranged for a pair with the Government.
The pair arrangement means that one Government MLA will abstain from voting on any matters before the Assembly in Mr Jeffery’s absence.
Mr Jeffery is 81, and works as the owner/operator of the Tharwa store. He will not run for re-election in October.
He was elected to the Assembly on a countback last week to replace Assembly veteran Brendan Smyth, who starts a new public service role as Commissioner for International Engagement tomorrow.
The new MLA’s maiden speech is expected to focus on issues relevant to residents of rural areas in the ACT, including Tharwa.