Ron Boswell (Queensland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Sir Harold Young finished his term in the Senate at the time I was elected for my first term as a senator. At that time it was a double dissolution, so I never met him in the Senate, although I subsequently meet him.

Sir Harold served in the Royal Australian Navy from 1942 to 1946. He was a wheat farmer and grazier, served on a number of agricultural committees and was a councillor on the Bunbury Municipal Council. Prior to entering federal parliament, he was a member of the federal exporters overseas transport committee. This committee had the job of negotiating freight rates with the shipping industry, which was essentially a British monopoly at that time.

In his maiden speech in 1968, Sir Harold expressed his pride in our democratic system and the preciousness of our freedom and the responsibility that this brings. During his 15 years of representing the people of South Australia, he was a strong advocate for primary industries and the trade process, in particular maritime transport.

He served as Government Whip from 1971 to 1972 and then as Opposition Whip from 1972 to 1975. He was Chairman of Committees from 1976 to 1981. As President of the Senate from August 1981 to April 1983, he was well regarded as a person who strongly supported and defended the Senate process. He presided over the Senate during a time when Malcolm Fraser was Prime Minister and the Senate balance of power had just been won by the Democrats. He carried out his duties in the distinguished position of President of the Senate with fairness and strength while still maintaining a sense of humour during what were often difficult circumstances. It is interesting to note that there was not a single motion of dissent moved against any of his rulings.

He was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George on the 1983 New Year’s honours list for services to the parliament. On Sir Harold Young’s departure from the Senate in 1983, Senator Scott, the then leader of the National Party in the Senate, paid tribute to Sir Harold Young’s distinguished service not only in his occupation as the chair but also over a very long period in the parliament and all the committees that he served on. On behalf of the Nationals in the Senate, I sincerely extend my condolences to Lady Young and his family.