Wendy Askew (Tasmania, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

It is with sadness that I rise today to pay tribute to Senator Jim Molan, AO DSC. He was a true gentleman, a trusted colleague and a friend. The Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, said Jim was admired for his discernment, leadership and unfailingly courteous manner, and the Prime Minister described Jim as a man of principle and a politician of conviction. These apt summations of Jim's personality, work ethic and attitude to life are words I have been reflecting upon since his death.

Many in this chamber have already spoken with great respect about Jim Molan's five years as a senator for New South Wales and his distinguished service with the Australian Defence Force, from which he retired as a major-general in 2008. Senator Molan's dedication to the people, whether as a parliamentarian or as a member of the defence forces, is something to be celebrated. During his four decades in the Australian Army, Jim served in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Germany, the United States and Iraq, commanding thousands of soldiers across coalition nations in this time. Jim was appointed as chief of operations for the coalition forces in Iraq. His service was recognised when he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and the Legion of Merit by the Australian and US governments respectively. He was also appointed as a member of the Order of Australia in 1992 and later made an officer in the Order of Australia in 2000.

Jim bridged the gap between active service and politics by working with our former prime minister, Scott Morrison, on the coalition's border control policy Operation Sovereign Borders. In his own words, Jim considered this policy to be a 'successful and humane approach to a complex strategic law enforcement and humanitarian problem'.

His distinguished career in the Australian Defence Force meant Jim was sought out by the media to speak on defence and national security issues, with him often discussing the importance of a national security strategy for Australia. He also helped educate readers on warfare, diplomacy and changing relationships in our geographic region through his books Running the War in Iraq and Danger on our Doorstep.

As a senator, Jim contributed strongly during debates on immigration, defence and national security policy within the chamber. However, he also spoke passionately about other topics close to his heart, such as veteran support, fuel security, online safety, stillbirth, prostate cancer awareness and research, and foreign affairs and investment. And, as a Liberal senator, Jim took every opportunity to champion our great party. He worked hard to build our grassroots membership through sharing our party values and their relevance within our society.

The Royalla community in which Jim and his family lived in the New South Wales high country was richer through his involvement as a volunteer firefighter and rescue helicopter pilot, and his advocacy during the recent floods, the Black Summer bushfires in 2009, and the 2003 Canberra bushfires. His passion for the regions he represented through his work as a parliamentarian since 2007 was easy to see. Whether he was speaking with veterans about the wellbeing centres and what they would mean to him, sharing updates about what he and his dedicated team were doing in Parliament House, updating the electorate on how he was representing them in Canberra or simply giving a glimpse into his family life, his passion for the people he served was evident in everything Jim did.

Service was a big part of Jim's life, both military and public, but Jim Molan was also a supportive and encouraging friend; a devoted husband, father and grandfather; and a hardworking, decent man. I offer my sincere condolences to Jim's wife, Anne; their four children, Sarah, Erin, Felicity and Michael; and their five grandchildren, Sophie, Angus, Eliza, Grace and Andrew. They remembered his full life, courageously lived, devoted to family and in service of the country he loved. Indeed, during his recent funeral, or celebration of life, as previously commented, Jim's daughter Erin shared how proud she was of her father, and he of them, his four children. Jim was her go-to man, whose opinion she respected most. She says he taught his family to care deeply for each other and their country. Erin said Jim led by example and had instilled in all of them a work ethic that she will ever be grateful for. It's a great legacy. Son Michael spoke of Jim's unwavering appetite, hunger, determination, focus and passion as metaphors for how he lived his life.

At this point I would also like to acknowledge and thank Jim's staff and, in particular, Jackie Cummins, who I know has been a great strength to Jim and his family throughout his illness and since his passing. I've also been asked to pass on my brother David Bushby's condolences to Jim's family. As the Chief Government Whip at the time Jim first joined the Senate, David worked closely with Jim until David's retirement from the Senate early in 2019. On his Facebook post at the time of Jim's passing, David described Jim's life as a rare example of a life fully devoted to the service of others, combined with a deep desire and conviction to improving their lives.

I had the privilege of sitting next to Jim in the Senate chamber for most of the 46th Parliament and appreciated his generous support, encouragement and friendship during that time. I admired and respected Jim and reflected often on how well he managed his cancer diagnosis and the subsequent treatment with grace and bravery, as he had lived his life. I will miss Jim and want to thank him for his tireless service throughout his life. Lest we forget, and may he rest in peace.

Madam Acting Deputy President Walsh, I seek leave to table a contribution from Senator Brockman, who is unable to be here today.

Leave granted.