Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Minister for the Environment and Energy) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to pay my respects following the passing of Ronald Joseph Walker AC, CBE, otherwise known as Mr Melbourne, a man who was celebrated in life and will be mourned in death, a friend to many and somebody who was deeply committed to his local community, to his state and to the betterment of those who were less fortunate than him. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and their three children, Joanna, Campbell and Candice. We send our warmest wishes at this difficult time.

Ron Walker was, in a way, bigger than life. I was fortunate to know him and talk to him regularly about the Liberal Party and, during his battle with cancer, about the listing of the drug which prolonged his life beyond what many thought. He was always passionate about the causes he supported. He thought deeply and he was brave. In terms of his record, as a businessman, as a party official and as a proponent of Melbourne in attracting events to our city and our state, he had very few equals. He was elected to the Melbourne City Council, aged 30, in 1969. He was the Lord Mayor of Melbourne from 1974 to 1976. He was the Liberal Party's honorary national treasurer, which the Prime Minister has described as the most challenging job in politics, having himself held that role. Ron fulfilled that responsibility between 1987 and 2002. He was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his service to local government, and the citation for his Companion of the Order of Australia read:

For service to business, the arts and the community, and to raising the profile of Australia internationally with significant benefit for tourism and employment.

His success in attracting the Grand Prix to Melbourne and other major sporting events and his ability to reach across the political aisle to the new Premier of Victoria at the time, Steve Bracks, showed that he wasn't deeply partisan when the interests of his community demanded a different approach. We pay tribute to his vision for Melbourne and to his philanthropic activities, which were far and wide, many of which are not known more broadly, for that is the way Ron wanted it. And we thank him for what he did for Melbourne, what he did for the Liberal Party and what he did for the country. May he rest in peace and be remembered fondly for all that he achieved.

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