Josh Frydenberg (Kooyong, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

It's my honour to follow those eloquent words from the member for Richmond paying tribute to a great Australian, Doug Anthony, acknowledging his love of family and his service to the community. This place is meant to epitomise the very best of our country—people who come here motivated by public service, people with experience from all walks of life. Doug Anthony represented the very best of us and his contribution was significant—like that of his father, like that of his son and like that of all members of the Anthony family. He served in the parliament for 26 years, which saw him serve with five Australian prime ministers and seven Liberal leaders. With the loss of Doug Anthony, we have lost one of the last remaining links with the Menzies government.

Upon his retirement, Doug Anthony said that a person leaves politics through defeat, disgrace, disability, death or by decision. He clearly chose the last of those—he left by his own decision—and not many people in this place can say that. Doug Anthony made an enormous contribution to public policy. One key area—

A division having been called in the House of Representatives—

Sitting suspended from 11:11 to 11:49

As I said, it's my honour to speak in tribute to a great Australian, Doug Anthony. His many public policy contributions included those in the field of trade. He was a strong proponent of Australia's trading position, building on the foundations and following in the footsteps of Sir John McEwen. Whether it was in the resources and minerals sector or the Japanese beef market, whether it was building new links to new markets in the Middle East and Korea or whether it was extending our existing relationship with New Zealand, he made a massive impression in the field of trade. As the Minister for the Interior, his contribution was also significant. He was at the helm when Lake Burley Griffin was filled. He commissioned the construction of Anzac Parade. Famously, he moved the statue of King George V from the front of Old Parliament House to the side so there was an uninterrupted view from Capital Hill to Mount Ainslie. I don't think that was a sign of where he'd be on the republic debate, though. He was also one of the first people to purchase a house in the satellite town of Woden, and he was intimately involved in the decision to build this House, the new Parliament House, where we stand today.

Doug Anthony was somebody who was friendly and likable. He was described as not being a hater. He could play his politics tough, as a boy from the land no doubt could, but he was also very, very much respected by both sides of the political divide. John Howard, in speaking at Doug Anthony's funeral, spoke fondly about the man. He described him as 'an enormous force for stability and common sense'.

Once, when interviewed by John Howard back in 2016, Doug Anthony recalled a story about how he used to love listening to the speeches of Sir Robert Menzies. He said he'd always go to the chamber to listen to Menzies because the speeches were interesting. One day, Menzies was speaking in response to the Labor Party's criticism of the budget. The Labor Party had torn the budget to pieces. 'I knew Menzies was coming on to speak and I made my way to the chamber. Just as I got there Menzies was tearing Calwell to pieces, and I thought, "How can he make such a great speech without notes? If I could make a speech half as good as that I'd be very happy."' Later that night, at one o'clock in the morning, there was a party in McEwen's office, and at that party there were members of staff of Sir Robert Menzies. Doug Anthony went up to one of them and said: 'I was listening to your boss tonight. Gosh, he made a great speech; it just was so easy!' And this young woman replied. 'So easy? I was up till four o'clock last night writing every single word of that speech.' Doug Anthony said that taught him a lesson: if you're going to make a good speech, you've got to work on it yourself; you can't just make it up on the spot.

Doug Anthony told the story about how, in his words, he never intended go into politics in the first place. 'In fact, I was badgered into it,' he said. For someone who was badgered into politics, he's left a lasting legacy and the deepest of impressions. He said at his press conference upon retirement: 'I'm retiring because I believe it is the right time. I think I have made my contribution, to the best of my ability, to the public life of this country.' Whether you're a National, a Liberal or a member of the Labor Party, we're all Australians, and when a great Australian such as Doug Anthony passes, we come together to acknowledge his love of family and his contribution to country. May he rest in peace.

See this speech in context