Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

If there was someone who was destined to have a firm grasp of numbers, it was Victor Garland. The son of an accountant, who grew up to be an accountant, he had an unfettered clarity which he carried into politics. As he once put in an interview: 'I'm a realistic person. I wouldn't deny that. I think I try to look at the world the way it is and work from there. There's nothing starry-eyed about my approach.' Armed with a Bachelor of Arts and a major in economics, he practised as a chartered accountant. Along the way, he married Lynette Jamieson, an accomplished classical pianist. The Prime Minister spoke about Lyn performing in the UK later on.

He eventually crossed paths with Western Australian powerhouse Sir Charles Court, who became his mentor and acted as the catalyst that propelled Victor towards a political career. So when Sir Paul Hasluck vacated the seat of Curtin to become Governor-General, preselection beckoned. That was successful, as was his election to this place, of course resulting in a punishing commute that is the burden of every Western Australian who bravely puts their hand up to serve here.

Promisingly, he began his first speech to parliament as the member for Curtin by honouring John Curtin as a great Australian who trod the highest path of duty. As supply minister in the McMahon government, he managed to replace Australia's fleet of antisubmarine helicopters. In the Fraser government, he was given the new portfolio of post and telecommunications. The Adelaide Advertiser hailed him as entering the job 'with an accountant's tidiness and a rising politician's pragmatism.' The Advertiser story goes on:

He admits he had taken only a marginal interest in the whole area of his new portfolio but claims that he has never complained about his treatment by the ABC. Almost a rare claim among politicians these days.

That was in 1976.

Like his predecessor, he called time as the member for Curtin to take up another challenge—in his case, as high commissioner to London. It was an appointment that ruffled some feathers, but Victor went and served Australia and got a knighthood along the way. Turn the clock forward to December 1983, at the end of his stint as Australia's man in London, and you find the very picture of a man surrounded by challenges but still determined to absolutely represent Australia's interests. Sir Victor knew that even a relationship as special as the one that exists between Australia and Britain was one that needed careful tending. He stayed on in the UK, sitting on a host of boards and doing work spread over a wide area before at long last coming home to Perth.

As he was the second-last surviving Liberal member of the McMahon ministry, Sir Victor's death, after 87 well-lived years, marks the twilight of an era. Our thoughts on this side of the House are with his wife, Lady Lyn Garland; his children, Sally, Michael and David; his grandchildren, Anthony, Oscar, Lucy, Ben, Barnaby and Gus; and his family in the Liberal Party. May he rest in peace.

Question agreed to, honourable members standing in their places.

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