Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

On indulgence, I commence by thanking the House for the opportunity to have statements made in this place today and to thank those other members today who will be making statements on the death of Jane McGrath AM. Today the sun is shining outside, but it is a day when, frankly, it should be dark; there should be clouds; there should be rain. The fact that the sun is shining today is indicative of the warmth and the spirit that Jane McGrath reflected to her family, to her community—of which I am a member—to Australia and to the world through her relationship with her husband, Glenn, and in her own right as a truly unique individual. It is fitting that we pay tribute to someone like Jane McGrath. I commend the words of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition on Monday. On that same day I was pleased, on indulgence, to be able to make some comments.

In today’s proceedings I thought I would reflect more on the statements made by other Australians. I want to begin by reading part of an article written by Brad Forrest in the St George and Sutherland Shire Leader. For me it really summarised the sudden tragedy of this for us all. I personally did not know Jane; I have met Glenn on a number of occasions around the electorate. They are identities within our community. But I, like all people who did not know Jane or Glenn personally but knew of Glenn and Jane, have been struck by a sense of grief that is quite profound. It happens very rarely in this country. To reflect those views today in this place is a very positive thing to do, as we all go through the process of grieving—none more so than Glenn, James and Holly—with the service now having probably just concluded in Sydney. I am encouraged by the fact that they are surrounded by their family and friends from their community—their home. It must be just an incredibly sad time for them. It is fitting that we identify with them at this time. Brad Forrest’s excellent article on the front page of the Leader on Tuesday began:

A WEEK ago, retired Australian Test fast bowler Glenn McGrath did one of the hardest things he has ever had to do.

He sat his two young children, James and Holly, down in their Cronulla home and told them what they may have suspected—that their mummy was leaving them, but would always be with them in spirit.

On Sunday, the family was together by her bedside when Jane McGrath slipped away.

Her brave battle against breast cancer, which began 11 years ago, had ended.

It goes on to say:

Jane’s fighting spirit had endured several operations over many years, with the cancer having spread from her breast to her brain last year.

…            …            …

Closer to home, the McGrath cricketing “family’’ of Sutherland Cricket Club, closed ranks around the family last year ensuring that few people knew just how far Jane’s condition had deteriorated.

She was unable to attend a number of functions, including Sutherland’s tribute night for Glenn last year, where Shane Warne was a guest speaker, or when her famous husband was honoured with the naming of the (previously Caringbah Oval) Glenn McGrath Oval.

So, quietly, as she faced the last part of her struggle, she was surrounded by friends who sought to protect her privacy and protect her family at that time. Above all, I remember Glenn standing there down at the Caringbah Oval on that day. It was a day of significance for him; none of us was aware of the pain he would have been going through as he knew what was coming.

In the House on Monday I made a number of remarks and I want to repeat a few of them. Firstly, we want Glenn, James and Holly to know how deeply our community in the shire feels for them at this time and mourns the loss of their wife and mother, Jane. I am sure, Madam Deputy Speaker Vale, also coming from the shire, you would share in these comments.

Jane was an inspiration to all of us. Her courage and determination were matched only by her compassion and generosity of spirit towards those women and families who faced the same challenges. Jane gave these women and their families, through her own example and her work through the McGrath Foundation, that precious commodity we all need when going through life’s most difficult times, and that is hope.

Mothers are the great carers and nurturers of our society, as I said on Monday, and in Jane McGrath we have lost a great mother in our community—a mother who cared lovingly and warmly for her children and who did all she possibly could to give them the best chances in life and to allow them to inherit from her a sense of values that will guide them for all of their lives. Above all, Jane was a fighter who fought for the most precious of all things in life—time with our family and friends and those most dear to us. May we continue to be inspired by the way Jane lived her life for her family and others, and may we do the same for those around us. I said on Monday that we need more mothers like Jane McGrath, we need more wives like Jane McGrath, we need more daughters like Jane McGrath, we need more sisters like Jane McGrath and we need more friends like Jane McGrath.

As members of the House will know, during the course of this week a condolence book was set up in my office. I have been overwhelmed and encouraged by those members who have come past and shared their thoughts—and not only members have come; other staff of this building have come and just quietly had their moment and signed that book. I just want to take the opportunity to share some of those thoughts that have been reflected by other members. The first is from the member for Paterson, who said:

Some people come into our lives and quietly pass by, others leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same. Jane was one of those people ...

The member for Braddon said:

Such a beautiful soul and ambassador, you must be so proud of Jane and her immense courage.

The member for Hughes said:

Resplendent with purpose and commitment to life; resonant with love, honesty and truth to those she loved ... she is a shining light for the rest of us.

The member for Barker said:

We all recognise the hero that Jane was and is for all Australians.

The member for McPherson said:

You can be proud of what Jane has achieved in her life—the women of Australia will never forget her contribution, help and understanding to the plight of so many facing the challenge of breast cancer.

The Leader of the Nationals said:

Jane’s courage and commitment to supporting families living with breast cancer has touched the nation and will be a permanent recognition of a wonderful life.

Senator Joyce said:

Jane’s influence was by reason of her dedication and commitment to others while the fears and pain were her own and yours. We all recognise her effort and thank your family for the time she gave others.

There are many, many more that I could read from members from both sides of the House and all around this place. One that was particularly touching was from three survivors of breast cancer working in the Parliamentary Library which said:

We appreciate Jane’s courage and work for breast cancer awareness.

We have seen an outpouring not only in this book and in this place but right across the country. If you go to websites—and I particularly commend the Daily Telegraph for donating to the McGrath Foundation 10c for every copy of the Daily Telegraph sold today—you find the most touching of tributes. In this place we need to be the voice of those who are not in this place, and today I think it is important to reflect their voices in this tribute. Peter of Sutherland said:

I too have someone in family battling this horrible disease & Jane has been an inspirational role model on how to put on a brave face & face head on to fight this disease ... Many of us are touched by her fighting will to live every minute of her wonderful life.

Peter of Ballarat said:

On behalf of my ABORIGINAL family and friends, I am deeply sorry for the loss of a very Beautiful woman, mother and wife!

Her spirit is now in the Dreamtime!

Her memories will live on!

Dorita of no particular suburb said:

Shine on, you are the brightest star in heaven today. I am proud to be a woman, you are an inspiration. All the beautiful memories will be forever in your families hearts.

Missbella of Kangaroo Valley offered this poem:

I was so sad to hear of your loss—

she says to Glenn—

to you all I send my deepest and heartfelt sympathy to each and every one of you.

When God went gathering roses for his garden of rest, he paused and whispered to you, I only take the best.

Your hearts will ache with sadness, the tears will often flow, for what it meant to lose your wife, mum, daughter, sister, no one will ever know.

So find the softest pillow LORD to rest her head upon then gently kiss her on the cheek and tell her who it is from.

My heartfelt sympathy to you all.

This is from Bronwyn of Quakers Hill:

To Glenn, James and Holly, I never met your brave wife and mother, but over time I have watched her grow and fight the hardest battle no one should have to fight. She was a true inspiration and when I heard the sad news today I was shattered that such a beautiful person could be taken away from her family so early. Jane touched the hearts of so many people she truly was one of the most courageous people I have seen. The love she had for her husband and children was so great to watch. Her sense of humour was something that I always loved in her interviews, she was a trooper until the end and I will never forget her.

Cathy of Sydney says:

Glenn, James and Holly, our deepest sympathy goes out to you and our hearts are breaking for you, my mum suffered from breast cancer at a similar time to Jane’s first episode, I was 6months pregnant with my first daughter, my mum being ‘old school’ never told us how she suffered, my sisters and I read Jane’s book and it gave us an insight into what she had been through, we thank her so much for that, for sharing that with us. Glenn, ‘sorry’ is not enough we are beyond words and cannot imagine your sorrow, our thoughts and prayers are with you all, she will always be your angel looking out for you from heaven and your beautiful children, much love to you all. My mum did tell us how wonderful the breast cancer nurses always were, so I will do my best to continue Jane’s effort to support this course, please everyone do the same.

I want to finish with this last one from Tania of Sutherland Shire:

Thank you for sharing Jane with all of us. I will continue to donate to the McGrath Foundation and I hope that many others do also. I know that you and your family and friends will continue to keep Jane’s memory alive in your wonderful work at the foundation.

Jane McGrath AM, who was honoured earlier this year on Australia Day, was a great Australian. She is part of a great Australian family from a great Australian community. We mourn her passing and our prayers go to Glenn, James and Holly on this very sad occasion.

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