Susan McDonald (Queensland, National Party, Shadow Minister for Resources and Northern Australia) Share this | Hansard source

As a member of the Nationals family, I express my sincere condolences to the family and friends of the Hon. Peter James Nixon AO, who represented Gippsland in Victoria as a member of the Australian Country Party, the National Country Party and the National Party of Australia from 1961 until 1983.

We've heard much on this, but I love hearing the stories of the men and women who've come before us, and so I'll repeat his great loves: Gippsland—and specifically his home soil of Orbost, where his great-grandparents settled in 1865—and his family. His beloved wife, Sally, of almost 60 years, sadly passed in 2013 and was his absolute gem. To Peter and Sally's children, Joanne, Mark, and Chris; to their grandchildren, Katrina, Amanda, Anna, Texas, Toby, Meg and Hugh; and to their great-grandchildren, Freddie, Mimi, Percy and Archie: I am so sorry for your loss.

Peter Nixon was born in 1928. He didn't just observe the evolution of Australia over almost 100 years until his death on 1 May this year; he was a key decision-maker in its progress, as a farmer and a grazier, as a parliamentarian and a minister for 21 years, and through his contributions to the corporate sector, particularly as founding chair of Southern Cross Broadcasting and as foundation commissioner for his beloved AFL. In recognition of his service to parliament and to the community, he was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1993.

During his political career, Peter was Minister for the Interior, Minister for Transport and Minister for Primary Industry, and we have heard how he served under six former prime ministers: Robert Menzies, Harold Holt, John McEwen, John Gorton, Billy McMahon and Malcolm Fraser. He was known for his toughness and professionalism and to have an impenetrable grasp of his portfolios. He enjoyed the rough-and-tumble of politics, arguably creating some of it himself at times. He once referred to politics as a 'damn drug', rated common sense 'as a rare commodity' and complained that the worst part of his job was 'travelling and wasting time in ruddy airports'.

Having read Peter's maiden speech from 1961, I reminisce on the unwavering focus of the National Party in defending and fighting for the livelihoods of generations of regional Australians and how today's news regarding trade relations between Australia and the United States, specifically in relation to beef, echoes Peter's concerns from 65 years ago. I quote from Peter's maiden speech on 20 February 1962:

Gippsland is … in the main a primary-producing electorate, and 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. They want to know where they are heading and what their long-term prospects are.

He goes on to express concern regarding the economic strength of the European common market, which at that time had an external tariff barrier against the free entry of Australian goods. Peter's words on that day were:

To read in the newspapers of the possibility of a common tariff arrangement between the Common Market and the United States of America chills my blood.

And, he warns, 'This prospect is just as alarming for secondary industry as it is for primary industry.' He wishes the best of luck to the Minister for Trade in his upcoming overseas delegation, as, he says, 'There is no doubt that the whole economic security of Australia depends on the results they achieve.' As we are honoured to currently be witnessing and congratulating the maiden speeches of new senators, it is interesting to reflect that Peter Nixon's words could well be appropriate and relevant again this week.

Like many of us from all sides of the political spectrum, Peter Nixon was introduced to politics by driving his father to party meetings and later handing out how-to-vote cards at state and federal elections. He entered politics with the encouragement of his wife, Sally; served with vigour, determination and honour; and had the rare dignity of leaving politics on his terms.

I will just add that, as a very new senator from Queensland, I was very interested in the survival of the dairy industry and the terrific tribulations that they were going through, thanks to dollar-a-litre milk being introduced by the supermarkets, amongst other trying times, and I was doing my very best to try and negotiate an improvement for dairy farmers across Australia when I received a call from Peter Nixon, who, at this point, I estimate, was 92. With clarity and concise advice, he did provide some very good advice to me. He was frustrated that we weren't able to be as hands-on-the-levers as I think he and his colleagues were, as ministers in previous generations. But I do always appreciate that he took the time to ring and educate a new young senator on something that we both equally were so passionate about.

So I am incredibly grateful for the service of a man of Peter's calibre, for the sacrifice that his family made in giving up so much of his time and his life. Australia is the better for it. And I say vale, Peter Nixon AO.