Alan Cadman (Mitchell, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I want to compliment the member for Grayndler and thank the member for Fisher, my friend Mr Slipper, for instigating this private member’s motion. I only met Steve Irwin once, but I did have the opportunity of observing the impact that he had on the community and on my own family. I want to pay tribute to an exceptional and unusual individual—a man who was very physical, very open, very Australian in everything he did. His vast enthusiasm took us right into the heart of his world and the animals he loved.

It was only as we got to know him through interviews with Andrew Denton and other instances that we appreciated the character of the man—so open and generous and so committed to the things that most Australians value. I recall the words of Terri, his wife, when she said at the time of their marriage: ‘I thought there was no-one like this anywhere in the world. He sounded like an environmental Tarzan, a larger than life superhero guy.’ That was the regard that his wife had for him and that is still obvious today.

There is no doubt that Steve was enthusiastic about animals and conservation, but it was also obvious that he was enthusiastic about his family. He once described his daughter, Bindi, as the reason he was put on the earth. Terri said of him, ‘The only thing that could ever keep him away from the animals he loves are the people he loves even more.’ That was obvious when you observed him relating on film and in real life to his family and those near to him. The tribute paid to him by his father shortly after his death was a typical Irwin tribute, from a family very much committed to each other and very fond of each other’s company.

There was criticism of him after the incident with baby Bob. But, having lived with animals most of my life—with horses and livestock—I had no doubt that Steve was completely in charge of that situation and the criticisms from the do-gooders or panic merchants seemed completely unjustified to me. I could never understand why there was such a great row about him taking his child into the crocodile pen with him; it was an old crocodile and Steve knew perfectly well what he was doing, even though it may not have appeared that way to the uninitiated.

One thing that really came through following that incident, and subsequently, is the strong connection that children had with him. There were numerous tributes that talked about the emotional impact his death has had on the children of Australia. They really loved Steve. They loved his enthusiasm. They liked it that he really cared about animals. They liked that he looked after animals and tried not to hurt them. It also appealed to them that he was brave and could confront dangerous animals and show no fear. Children adored him.

Steve Irwin is responsible, I believe, for lifting the level of conservation appreciation in Australia—and for that matter throughout the world. The character of the man is illustrated by his love of Australian rules football and of course rugby league—being a Queenslander—and later, rugby union. I think that Steve’s character is one that we admire, and we will miss him greatly. He strode the world stage, talking about Australia. He was one of Australia’s greatest advocates and promoters of tourism that we could find. He also had the common-sense approach that you could never gain enough resources for environmental issues unless there was popular support, and he encouraged that support. He also encouraged a commercial commitment, and the two must go hand in hand, and he did that very well indeed. I want to join with my colleagues in the parliament in paying tribute to a fine Australian whom we will miss. His future could have been a great future but he has left an inheritance that we will not forget and a commitment to the right way in which we can enhance this land and enhance its conservation and preservation. (Time expired)

See this speech in context