Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I rise on behalf of the coalition to pay tribute to the honourable Peter Morris OAM, the former member for Shortland who passed away last month, and he was a young 93 years of age. Peter Morris served in this parliament for almost 26 years—a huge achievement—from 1972 to 1998, representing the electorate of Shortland in New South Wales for the Australian Labor Party. Peter Morris was born in Sydney on 29 July 1932. As we have heard, he was elected to the House of Representatives with the Labor wave of 1972, and he held the seat of Shortland until he retired at the 1998 election.

Politics, it seems, ran in the family. His brother, Allan, went on to serve as the federal member for Newcastle between 1983 and 2001, and his younger son, Matthew, served as a state MP for Charlestown. Three members of parliament in one family—that is a remarkable contribution to public life by any measure. In opposition, Mr Morris was appointed the ALP spokesman on transport in 1976, a role he held under opposition leaders Gough Whitlam, Bill Hayden and Bob Hawke. He was renowned as being a diligent parliamentary operator, tabling nearly twice as many questions on notice as any other Labor MP during the 1977 to 1980 parliamentary term. That kind of sustained effort in opposition, holding government to account through proper parliamentary process, is the work of a committed member.

Transport remain a driving passion throughout Mr Morris's career. He was appointed the Minister for Transport in the first Hawke ministry in March 1983, and, in December 1984, he assumed the additional portfolio of aviation. Those were without a doubt significant portfolios, and he approached them with evident seriousness. During his time as minister, he helped secure original funding for Badgerys Creek. He opened the M1 motorway between Newcastle and Sydney with Prime Minister Hawke, and he was instrumental in the establishment of the Newcastle airport. These are tangible, lasting contributions to the infrastructure of New South Wales and our great nation, and they stand as a real record of his achievement.

After the 1990 election, he was not returned to the ministry, and he subsequently served as chairman of the House Standing Committee on Transport, Communications and Infrastructure from 1990 to 1996. In 1992, that committee produced what became known as the Ships of shame report—a significant inquiry that concluded that substandard shipping practices were widespread and recommended increased government regulation of the industry at both national and international levels. It was serious, consequential policy work, and it had a lasting impact on maritime safety standards both here and abroad.

After leaving parliament, Mr Morris was appointed chair of the International Commission on Shipping, a body established by the International Transport Workers' Federation to inquire into international shipping standards. His expertise and commitment to the sector did not end with his parliamentary career. Beyond his formal roles, Mr Morris served as president of the Newcastle maritime museum and was instrumental in securing funding for the William the Fourth paddle-steamer. These community contributions reflect a man who remained engaged with the people and the region he had represented long after leaving office.

Mr Morris's wife, Florence, passed away in 2019. He is survived by his sons Michael, Paul, and John. His son Matthew passed away from a brain tumour in 2020. The family has endured significant loss in recent years, and our thoughts are with them at this time. On behalf of the coalition, I extend our sincere condolences to the Morris family, and I acknowledge with respect the contribution Peter Morris made to this parliament and to this nation. May he rest in peace.