Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Assistant Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

American essayist and poet Ralph Waldo Emerson said of fate: a man is destined to be who he is determined to be. And Don Randall was always determined to be first and foremost a family man, and a patriot, and an all-round good bloke. I heard about the tragic passing of my friend and colleague, Don Randall, as I was making my way home from the funeral of another friend and former colleague, Alby Schultz. We had celebrated Alby's life that day—the fact that a man from the shearing shed could make his way through local government to state parliament and then to distinguished service in the federal parliament. And what Alby and Don show the Australian people is the breadth and depth of the life experiences that they bring to this place. So many Australians think that members of this House, whatever their political persuasion, are cardboard cut-outs, with the same backgrounds and the same political or party histories. In fact, in Don Randall we saw somebody who had served his local community in so many different guises before making his way to federal parliament—a councillor, as has been said, with Belmont City Council; a teacher for nearly 20 years, dedicated to the education of students with intellectual disabilities; someone who was a horse trainer; and someone who had a love of the garden and a love of nature. He then served in this parliament in the seats of Swan and then Canning for a total of 17 years.

We need to recognise the incredible service of Don Randall to the parliament. But I also want to recognise, as the foreign minister and others have done, his contribution to building bilateral relations with other countries; in particular, Sri Lanka and, as has been mentioned, Cuba. We also talked often about Israel, as Don shared with me his experience having been in kibbutz—and the member for Perth has said that people were reminded at Don's funeral that he was not on a kibbutz because he was a socialist. But he would tell me often what a strong supporter he was of the state of Israel and of all that it stood for. If you look at his speeches in the parliament about the issue of Sri Lanka, what comes through is his concern for the civilian casualties in that conflict. He said that neither side could be absolved of blame, but that our feelings and thoughts should be with the casualties and the families of those harmed civilians.

The other part of Don's life that I was touched by was when Gerard Neesham came to see me about the Clontarf Academy and what was being done to support Indigenous kids to follow their love of Australian Rules football, and Gerard Neesham did point out to me that Don Randall had been a standout support for that cause in helping to raise money and helping to garner political support.

I think the final word must be given to Don Randall, because in a powerful maiden speech in 1996 he talked about small business, he talked about jobs and he talked about his own grandparents—how they were founding fathers in the agricultural district of Western Australia's wheat belt, they came to a block of uncleared land with a tent, an axe and a toddler, and, like other Australians at this time, they survived the rigours of drought, recession, depression and war. In the face of adversity in difficult times, it was these types of Australians who helped form this great nation.

It was a wonderful maiden speech, and he talked about the Liberal Party's philosophy—the innate worth of the individual, the need to encourage his or her initiative and personal responsibility, and that all people should have the opportunity to advance and fulfil their potential. It was a wonderful speech, and it finished with these words, and these were Don's words:

Australia is a land of opportunity. We are a nation where people who are willing to make sacrifices can succeed and where people can take the opportunity to make their own luck … the worst thing that could happen to Australians is if they begin to believe … that 'this is as good as it gets'.

Don Randall never believed that it was as good as it gets. He gave selfless service in this place and to his constituents in Canning because he always wanted to make Australia a better place. At the end of the day, he was a family man, and we know for Julie, for Tess, for Elliott, for the extended Randall family and for the members of his staff: our thoughts are with you, our prayers are with you and we, in this place, will continue his tireless, important, and valuable work.

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