Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Others have rightly spoken fondly of the Hon. John Fahey AC and his service to our nation, which is on the public record. I want to add a few brief comments and observe that it was my privilege to be John Fahey's junior minister for about 10 months when he was finance minister and I first became a junior minister as the then Special Minister of State. John's politics were motivated by a genuine desire to serve his community, which he did exceptionally well. He was willing to mentor, advise and share his expertise and wealth of anecdotes; and that was indicative of his generosity of spirit, which he kindly extended towards me as a minister seeking to find his feet. Minister Fahey was personable, genuine and humble. You couldn't help but like him. I did.

I also recall the day he gave me the shocking news that he was taking leave for 'exploratory surgery' and gave me that meaningful look indicating that things were pretty tough. On his return, he was very matter of fact about the statistical challenge that he was up against, having such extensive lung cancer. Suffice it to say that, in his typical spirit, he overcame it beyond his own belief and his own predictions to me, and he continued to serve the Australian people, and indeed the world community in the sporting arena, in a manner that was indicative of the way he served the people of New South Wales in the state parliament and the people of Australia in the federal parliament.

Can I simply say that I was the beneficiary of John Fahey's mentorship and his generosity of spirit. Whilst it was for only 10 months that I served as his junior minister, I was greatly benefited by that. I'm indebted to him and I extend my condolences to his widow, Colleen, and his family and thank them for lending him to the service of our nation.