David Templeman gives valedictory address, revealing his ‘one regret’

After 24 years representing Mandurah — including serving as a minister under three premiers — David Templeman has revealed his only regret. Mr Templeman, who serves as Culture and Arts Minister, farewelled parliament on Wednesday, after first being elected in 2001. In a valedictory speech that drew consistent roars of laughter from colleagues, the outgoing minister revealed that, before parliament, he had performed with a troupe called the Halls Head Hippies — a reference to a Mandurah suburb. “Now our songs were politically incorrect,” he said. “In fact, some described them as appallingly crude or risque. And in this modern area, we would have been cancelled. We would have been Me Too’d, You Too’d, and Them Too’d.” Song titles reportedly included ‘I’ve Got Pubes Babe’ and ‘A Good Hump These Days is Hard to Find’. Mr Templeman said instead of taking the band to the east coast, he ran for parliament. “I have no regrets, except for one, and this was because I delved in and dug out of something of an exhibit,” the minister said before pulling out an election sign from 2001. “I’ve let myself go. “The parliamentary dining room. You’ve won.” Mr Templeman said he was at least “honest,” observing some posters of his fellow-MPs appeared airbrushed. “I’ve relished this job. I’ve loved it. I’ve always wanted to bring to this place, well just to life, a bit of fun,” he said. “You know, we need to laugh more.“ Reflecting on the importance of family, the MP wrapped up his speech with a rendition of Cats in the Cradle. Labor has preselected City of Mandurah Mayor Rhys Williams to contest the seat at the March 8 election, while charity founder Kaye Seeber is set to run for the Liberal party.