Philip Ruddock (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

No, not a liability—I was very privileged. I wanted to make that known because it added, as everybody in this place knows, something special to the relationship.

I could go on and talk about his many roles, but I will not. I will mention a couple of matters that I do not think have been focused on by other contributors. One was his leadership in the movement to get 18-year-olds the vote—something that the Labor Party did in the early 1970s. I think that was of some note. I also observe that he was, for a time, a whip. I think, for the sake of those who take an interest in these matters, that it was quite interesting that he was reported to have said that he did not like the title. He wanted something with an Australian flair. He said that the title of 'whip' dated back to the 18th century fox hunt, referring to the whipper-in of those who job it was to ensure the hounds did not stray far from the pack. He thought that terms like 'boundary rider' or 'jackaroo' might be more appropriate. He was an interesting man and I thought, given that I had that role myself for a small amount of time, that those comments were particularly perspicacious.

There were two matters that those who contributed to his service yesterday wanted noted about his service to the nation and this parliament. If you go through it, you will see in the Parliamentary Handbookthat he was a leader of a parliamentary delegation to India, Pakistan and Iran in 1974 and a delegate to the international conference on Bangladesh in 1971. It was a very propitious time for him to be involved in that conference, because it was a question of the development of that separate new nation. I am told that not only did he go as a delegate and take these issues up forcibly as an Australian participant; he in fact went across the border—putting himself and the others who went with him at risk—to advocate very strongly for that cause. He was the sort of individual who passionately believed in those causes that he took up and I think it ought to be remembered in that way.

Finally, for those of us who one day will take an interest in these matters, I am told he was also the founder of the former members society. We may all think about that some time. I am not in any hurry to do so, I might say. But he, along with another dear friend of mine Dr Malcolm Mackay, were the two former members who put in place the foundations for the society of former members that we have now. I think he was very pleased to be able to have that continuing involvement.

As I said, it was a great privilege to be able to represent the Prime Minister at his funeral. Les was formerly a widower, but his new partner was one I was able to speak to, Marion, and offer my condolences personally. I think she said, and it pleased me, that Les had observed, as he thought about what the arrangements might be, that he hoped I might be there at that time. It was a wonderful event to recall the life of a very significant contributor and I did want to be associated with the condolence motion. I thank the chamber for allowing the debate to be extended to enable this contribution to be made.

Debate adjourned.

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