Jess Walsh (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Early Childhood Education) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate records its sadness at the death, on 1 May 2025, of the Honourable Peter James Nixon AO, former Minister for the Interior, Minister for Shipping and Transport, Postmaster General, Minister for Transport and Minister for Primary Industry, and former Member for Gippsland, places on record its gratitude for his service to the Parliament and the nation, and tenders its sympathy to his family in their bereavement.

I rise on behalf of the government to acknowledge the death of former minister and member for Gippsland Peter James Nixon AO, and I want to begin by offering, on behalf of the government, our condolences to his family, friends and parliamentary colleagues. I want to also acknowledge his family here today: children Chris and Joanne, and her husband Peter, as well as his grandchildren Toby, Amanda and Katrina. You are welcome here.

Peter Nixon was a proud regional Australian, born in Orbost, Victoria, in 1928. As a young man he left his family farm to attend Wesley College in Melbourne. After completing his studies, and recovering from an unfortunate football injury, he went straight back to Gippsland to continue work on the family farm. A fourth-generation farmer, Peter eventually was joined on the farm by his wife, Jacqueline, and his three children, Joanne, Mark and Christopher.

It was this region of Gippsland that Peter Nixon would go on to represent in the other place from 1961. Elected at just 33 years old, he served as the Country and then National Party member for Gippsland for over two decades. Peter wasn't the initial candidate for preselection in the seat. He stepped up and put his name forward when the presumptive nominee sadly passed away just days before nominations closed. From then, he served as the member for Gippsland from 1961 until 1983 under five different prime ministers, dedicating an admirable 22 years of service to parliament and to his community. Under Prime Minister Harold Holt, Peter was appointed Minister for the Interior in 1967. His portfolio included a broad range of responsibilities, including immigration, railways, and public works and services. A news article from that time quoted public servants from the department who said that Peter was the most down-to-earth politician they'd ever worked with. Many colleagues shared that same view throughout his many years of service.

Peter entered cabinet as Minister for Shipping and Transport in the McMahon government in 1971. He later served as Minister for Primary Industry and Postmaster-General. He made significant contributions in his ministerial career, including negotiating with British Airways to provide more flights into Australia. He also pioneered many initiatives that provided support to farmers during periods of drought that threatened their livelihoods. From his first day in parliament and into his ministerial career, Peter was a tireless advocate for farmers and for the regions. An extract from his first speech reveals just that. He said:

…it is as a farmer that I, a newcomer to this House, would like to direct attention to the fears that are in the minds of farmers, not only in my electorate but generally throughout the nation.

Peter's primary commitment was always to the people of Gippsland. Indeed, he once turned down an invitation to attend a dinner with the Queen during an Australian visit, opting instead to participate in a local sporting club event in his community. Peter's view was: if he were invited as the member for Gippsland, he would be there for his constituents. He was also known to enjoy a friendly chat within parliament, and made lifelong friends in this place. Notably, at a time of heightened partisanship, some of his closest friendships were from across the aisle, including with Fred Daly, a Whitlam government minister.

After retiring from parliament in 1983, Peter made more significant contributions to the business world. Peter served as chairman of the AFL Commission and held senior positions in radio and television broadcasting. In 1993 Peter was made an Officer of the Order of Australia for his extraordinary services to the Australian parliament and to the community. His commitment to the Gippsland region shaped Peter's contributions to public life. Gippsland was home. Gippsland was where his family had lived and farmed for four generations through times of bushfires, drought and hardship. While he served with distinction under those five prime ministers in multiple ministerial and cabinet positions, Peter was always focused on Gippsland and the people who sent him to Canberra for over two decades.

Peter's commitment to his electorate reminds us of the immense privilege it is to serve our communities and to make a difference in this place. Once again, on behalf of the government, I extend my condolences to his family and to his friends following his passing. Vale.