Peter Dutton (Dickson, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I join with the minister in his words in honouring the life of Sir David Smith. He was born in 1933 and began his career as a public servant in 1953. He became private secretary to the minister for interior and works in 1958, and he was made the official secretary to then Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck in 1973. He served with great distinction five Governors-General, including Sir John Kerr, Sir Zelman Cowen, Sir Ninian Stephen and, of course, Bill Hayden. He was, as the minister pointed out, the official secretary to former Governor-General Sir John Kerr on 11 November 1975, that famous day in Australian political history. He was the man on the steps, the man who read out the proclamation sacking Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Sir David played a role in the establishment of the Order of Australia and the transition from imperial honours to an Australian honours system. He retired in 1991, and, to his great credit, was a strong supporter for constitutional monarchy. After political life he worked as a volunteer, including, as the minister pointed out, giving guided tours to Old Parliament House. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth in 1990. He served the office and the Commonwealth with great distinction. He is survived by his wife, June, and three sons. May he rest in peace.

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