Steve Irons (Swan, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I also rise to speak about Laurie Humphreys and to add weight to the words of the member for Fremantle. I also attended the funeral last week, with the member for Fremantle and with my wife, and, in the very short time that I have, I would first like to acknowledge the selfless, never-ending work that Laurie did for the forgotten Australians and child migrants from the UK and Malta.

Unfortunately he passed away prior to seeing the naming of the service centre he fought so hard for and which, again, the member for Fremantle and I attended, the day after Laurie's funeral. His work and efforts for FACT, Forgotten Australians Coming Together, will not be forgotten. I am proud to be the patron.

Laurie had a rich life and I will now tell you a little bit about him. It was unfortunate that the member for Fremantle did not have time to get that in, because he did have a rich life and vast experience. In 1953, at the age of 20, Laurie was the secretary of the Northcliffe Branch of the Timber Workers Union. In 1962 he was the president of the Bakers Hill Primary School Parents and Citizens Association. He was also a foundation member of two branches of the Australian Labor Party.

While Laurie attained many positions within the union movement, perhaps some of his major achievements were his 17 years as vice president of the Western Australia branch of the Transport Workers Union, the four years he served on the executive of the Trades and Labor Council of WA, the eight years he served as the Transport Workers Union delegate to the state executive of the ALP, and the fact that he attended every ACTU congress of the Australian Council of Trade Unions from 1972 to 1988. Laurie was a great man, and I wish his family well. (Time expired)

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