Craig Kelly (Hughes, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I, too, rise to pay tribute to the strong contribution made to our country by the former member for Hughes—in fact, the first member for Hughes—Leslie Royston Johnson, better known as Les. I associate myself with the fine comments of the member for Grayndler.

Les was first elected to the seat of Hughes's after its creation in 1955 at just 30 years of age. He would go on to hold that seat for 30 years, interrupted only by a single term from 1966 to 1969 when he was defeated by Don Dobie who would then go on to become the member for Cook following the redistribution. Both men served for more than three decades and were the only federal members of parliament that my generation knew for more than a generation. Each of them towered over the southern Sydney region. Indeed, so it remains in my electorate office in Hughes today.

Besides myself, Hughes has only ever returned four members of parliament—Les Johnson, Don Dobie, Robert Tickner and Danna Vale. Each has made a significant contribution to our federal parliament and, indeed, to our country. I always felt that I joined most esteemed company in becoming the fifth member for Hughes and hoped that I could emulate their successes. Each of my four respective predecessors continues to welcome every constituent who comes through my electorate office in Hughes with their portraits retaining pride of place on the reception wall at the entrance.

I was never fortunate enough to have met Les, but, along with the recently retired Barry Collier, he remains a shire identity. Labor candidates often mention his name when they speak of someone they hope to emulate should they be fortunate enough to be elected. That is probably why Les was never challenged for preselection in his 30-odd years in parliament. He was respected across the whole shire, amongst both Labor and Liberal supporters.

We are all the product of our environment and our life experiences. Les's father served as a stretcher-bearer in World War I and would pass away when Les was just six years old. That, combined with growing up through the Depression years, certainly would go on to shape him and his desire to do all he could to improve his community. When World War II came, Les would be left as the only man in his house as a breadwinner helping to feed his family with his older brothers going off to war service.

Les would go on to serve in critical areas in the Whitlam government's reform agenda, particularly in housing and Indigenous affairs. As a minister in the Whitlam government, Les was instrumental in Sydney's suburban expansion. The National Sewerage Program laid the foundation for urban growth in Sydney's western and southern suburbs, including parts of the Shire. I can well remember, as a young child, when the sewer came through Peakhurst, the suburb where I was living at the time. This was one of Les's works in the Whitlam government. I remember, when the sewer came through to our next-door neighbour's place, having great fun flushing things through the sewer and seeing it work. It was quite a unique experience for a kid, and it is something I will long remember.

Les married Gladys, or Peg as she was better known, and raised three children with her, before remarrying Marion after Peg's passing. He lived out his remaining years far from his spiritual home in the Sutherland Shire, in Shoal Bay, near Port Stephens. I pass on my respects to his relatives. Les deserves respect and credit for the wonderful contribution that he made to our nation. May he rest in peace

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