Darren Chester (Gippsland, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to add just a few words of condolence in relation to the very sad passing of Major General Jim Molan. In doing so, I extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to Jim's family—to Anne, and to his children, Sarah, Erin, Felicity and Michael. It's a mark of the man that so many tremendous words have been spoken already in this place about Jim Molan, and I was struck, in the House earlier this week, when the Prime Minister and the opposition leader spoke so eloquently about an incredible gentleman and the contribution he'd made to our nation. But one of the stories that struck me the most was one by the Leader of the Opposition, where he said:

Jim considered himself to be an ordinary Australian, but he had an extraordinary life. He was a man who was at the centre of so many pivotal events which have shaped our nation, the region and, of course, the world: Papua New Guinea's independence, the fall of Suharto in Indonesia, evacuations from the Solomon Islands, peacekeeping in East Timor, counterinsurgency in Iraq, Australian bushfires, illegal maritime arrivals on our border and the rise of China.

And I'm sure Jim would appreciate this: I felt at that time he was Australia's Forrest Gump, popping up all around the world; where there was any major milestone, there was Jim Molan, in his career.

Jim was someone who we borrowed from his family for a distinguished military career. I know the member for Herbert, and the member for Menzies, here just a few moments ago, understand more than most the sacrifice of service and the demands it places on families. So I thank Jim's family for that.

He was an incredible gentleman, and someone who I believe showed this place how to stay true to your convictions, despite the many challenges that were placed in front of him. He was a thoughtful man, a humble man, a very authentic character.

I remember, towards the dying days of my time as veterans' minister, when it was quite obvious that I wasn't continuing in that role in that particular week, Jim was to be presented with a quilt—the great Aussie quilt. People were paying testimony to his career. And Jim was adamant I had to be there as well. He went out of his way to make sure I could come along and be part of that special occasion for him.

So, as veterans' minister, I had plenty of engagements with Jim, and I have to say: amongst all the members and senators in this place, when it came to issues surrounding veterans, he was one who deeply understood the challenges, respected the harm that military service could inflict upon individuals and families, but was also very optimistic and positive about military service. He recognised that members who'd served had certainly changed—had been shaped by that service—but it wasn't all bad. He was someone who wasn't prepared to feed our veterans of diet of helplessness and hopelessness but one of positivity and optimism. That leadership role that he played in the veterans community was often, perhaps, underappreciated in the broader community, but I can assure the veterans community that Jim was often in my office, often on my phone, and a very popular member of this place with my own staff, because he was constructive and practical and came up with good ideas about how we could do more to support our veterans and their families.

So I'm honoured to have served in this place with Jim. I think my colleagues who will speak here tonight as well would share my view that we are privileged to have served alongside such a great Australian. And I extend my condolences.

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