Kelly O'Dwyer (Higgins, Liberal Party, Minister for Small Business) Share this | Hansard source

As a former member of this place for 17 years, and a mentor to many after he retired, the Hon. James Joseph Carlton AO has a special place in our hearts.

Jim's dedication and service to his country is something that many try to emulate. After serving as the member for Mackellar and the Minister for Health in the Fraser Government, Jim became the Secretary of the Australian Red Cross where he dedicated his time to humanitarian efforts and the relief of suffering in the world. He continued to support many charitable causes, particularly the Red Cross, throughout his life.

Jim's encouragement, advice and support was always very much appreciated. Jim was intensely loyal to his friends.

Jim was indeed an elder statesman. He has left a lasting legacy in this place, not only in the health portfolio, but particularly in regards to economic policy. When a number of my colleagues decided it was time that we relaunched the Society of Modest Members, Jim was instrumental in the rejuvenation of the group. Many people in this place would be aware of the history of the Society of Modest Members, of which Jim was a founding member.

The society aims to promote the use of the competitive market as the best means of providing for human wellbeing. Towards this end, it advocates the progressive removal of anticompetitive regulations and protection and supports effective measures to prevent restrictive trade practices on the part of individuals, businesses, trade unions or governments.

The society has a commitment to an open economy and ensuring that state patronage does not grant favouritism. Membership of the society is open to members or former members of the parliaments of the Commonwealth of Australia, the states or territories, who subscribe to the objectives of the society and pay an annual membership fee. The society promotes public understanding of the benefits of the competitive market competition and facilitates discussion between its members and others of a similar mind.

Jim realised that, while the society had not been active for a number of years, it was opportune to make sure that there was an opportunity for people in this place to have a forum in which to gather and to debate and to discuss these critical ideas. He not only provided the history in the background to the society for those of us who were very keen to see it reform but he also attended the inaugural event in launching the society not that long ago. We are very grateful for his continual commitment and dedication to these ideas and to the mentorship and inspiration that he provided to many of us.

In his later years Jim and his wife Di moved from Sydney to Melbourne and lived in the inner city suburb of Carlton. Jim became known as the 'Carlton of Carlton'. He was an integral part of a regular coffee club, known as the 'Carlton Gathering', which met once and sometimes twice a week. This group of intelligent, eclectic and one could say influential individuals shared discussions on a wide range of topics from politics to economics and cooking.

Many may not be aware that Jim came from an Irish-Australian Catholic family where the value of hard work and education was of paramount importance. Throughout his life he never forgot the debt of gratitude which he owed to his teachers. Jim was a great man, a great contributor and an intelligent friend. He will be greatly missed. To his wife Diana and their children, Alex, Freia and Rob, I extend my heartfelt sympathy on the loss of a truly wonderful man. May he rest in peace.

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