Warren Snowdon (Lingiari, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for External Territories) Share this | Hansard source

I am pleased to be able to get up, as I think the final speaker, on this condolence motion. I have been moved by the presentations which have been made by members of both sides of the parliament, all of whom have eloquently laid out Tom's life, his achievements, his influence inside the labour movement and in the Labor Party, in particular, and his impact on the Australian community as a result of his commitment to the values which he held from his wartime service, the hell of being a prisoner of war and his respect and love for his comrades who were also prisoners of war. His ultimate goal of opposing war was marked by, as we heard earlier, his contribution to anti-Vietnam war campaigns.

I did not know Tom before I entered this parliament, but I think I am right in saying that only the Chief Government Whip and I had the privilege of serving with Tom in the House of Representatives. I came into this place in 1987—a leftie. Coming from the Northern Territory, I did not have a lot of interaction with the sorts of internecine disputes inside the left of the Labor Party or the different elements of the labour movement. It was more about me actually learning about these things when I arrived here. I do remember I was very active in the anti-uranium and anti-nuclear campaigns of the seventies. When I came to this place I readily identified with the strength of character that Tom showed in his life's work. I have to say he was an enormous influence inside the left of the Labor Party, inside the Labor Party itself and in government and indeed, as a direct result of that influence, had a dramatic impact on the lives of every Australian.

More lately I had cause to interact with Tom as Minister for Veterans' Affairs. Tom, as you know, had achieved an outcome with Prime Minister Julia Gillard about recognition of surviving prisoners of war. It was my great privilege to be the minister who had carriage of this within the government and therefore to be at Kirribilli House when we bought together these magnificent men, these great brave men, who were surviving prisoners of war—Tom of course being among them. Knowing what I now know about his service and knowing what I now know about Tom's role in this place, but most particularly about his wartime service and the sacrifices, which we can never really imagine, and to see him at Kirribilli House in concert with these other old mates from that period was extremely moving. It was moving because we saw these brave heroes, these brave men who had survived that dreadful experience, go on and make enormous contributions to the Australian community—Tom's prime among them.

As I stand here and reflect upon his life, I think of his endearing love for his fellow man, summarised in a way by that overwhelming conviction that we needed to and must finally give due recognition to these surviving prisoners of war. He achieved this with the then Prime Minister. They had a chat—well I think they met actually at Tom's place—and then had a number of conversations. I then got involved, because I got the nod from the Prime Minister's office that there was a thing I must do. 'Why am I doing this?' I say. 'I am the Minister for Veterans' Affairs. I should be initiating this stuff.' And the reply: 'Well, no, sorry mate; this is from Tom. We are doing this because of Tom and his discussions and agreement with the Prime Minister.' As a result of that we were able to do what Tom had requested.

It was a great privilege for me to serve in this parliament with Tom, even if it were only for a very short period—three years—and to learn from him and others of the left at that time. They were an incredibly interesting bunch I have to say. I was there goggle-eyed watching what went on and seeing who was belting who, in the metaphorical sense—as they did—and of course it was a vibrant community outcome that we all achieved with great love for one another.

I know we are nearing the adjournment. It has been a great honour to be able to participate in this debate and I thank all of those who have contributed. They have done a great justice to a great man in what has been said in this chamber today and previously by those who contributed yesterday.

See this speech in context