Chris Bowen (McMahon, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Health) Share this | Hansard source

It's appropriate that the House recognises the passing of Dr Harry Nespolon. He died recently after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He had practices in the Sydney CBD and at Neutral Bay. He was a caring and compassionate general practitioner, but he was also a strong advocate for public health and for general practice. Harry was actually the first person I rang when I was appointed shadow minister for health. In fact, I rang him before it was even announced, to talk to him about policy issues, and he was a very strong interlocutor every day after that. In fact, on my phone there are text messages from Harry about policy matters relating to COVID-19 which I received just days before he died.

Harry was also a lot of fun. He was a great character, he was great company, and his conversations would reflect his very broad interests. As well as a medical degree, he attained while working as a general practitioner a Master of Business Administration, an economics degree—a man after my own heart!—and two law degrees—a bachelor's degree and a master's degree. He played a vital role—and I'm sure the Minister for Health would agree—in our COVID-19 response, suggesting to the government how to deal with telehealth and better incorporate general practice. He was always trying to achieve more. He said at the RACGP general conference in 2019: 'We should always endeavour to do better, to break the mould, to include voices that haven't been heard, to innovate and to learn.' I will miss Harry. I know that the member for Ballarat, my friend the former shadow minister for health, will miss Harry, and I'm sure many honourable members will miss Harry Nespolon.

See this speech in context