Andrew Wallace (Fisher, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to speak on this condolence motion for a man whose love of country inspired almost five decades of military and public service. Major-General Senator Jim Molan AO, DSC was a patriot in the true sense of the word and he was a servant to the very end. In his own words, democracy in both concept and practice was a significant part of his career and life, perhaps more so than for many Australians. A large proportion of this, over 40 years, was service rendered through a number of roles in the Australian Defence Force.

He upheld law and order by backing up the police in Papua New Guinea as that ally and nation's fledgling democracy was born. He represented Australia in Indonesia at the fall of the Suharto dictatorship and the rise of democratic government. He put his life in harm's way to protect Australians and locals in East Timor and did the same again in the Solomon Islands. He led operations in Iraq supporting a coalition force of some 300,000 men and women in uniform. His decisions as a military leader often meant the difference between life and death.

Perhaps more than any other man or woman to have walked this parliament's halls in recent years, Jim knew the cost of this democracy, which we so often take for granted, and he understood the importance of protecting it. After decades in Defence, Jim made national security his chief priority as a commentator, an adviser and a parliamentarian. He was the co-author of Operation Sovereign Borders, one of Australia's most successful law enforcement operations, stemming the flow of human traffickers and restoring border integrity.

Despite a rocky start to his Senate tenure with its rough and tumble of party politics, Jim worked tirelessly to make his time count. On his entry to the Senate, Australians by and large went about their lives as though living in the halcyon days. Little did we know that it was really a calm before the storm. Thanks in large part to Jim's fearless and fervent advocacy, we are now awake to danger on our doorstep, with war in Europe and increasing instability in the Asia-Pacific. I had the pleasure of hosting Jim in my electorate of Fisher. I asked Jim to come and speak with my veterans at the Caloundra RSL back in about 2019, I think, and he was very, very warmly received by the veterans in my community.

Most recently, Jim's honest account of the rise of communist China and its disruption to the global rules based order has been a challenge to those of us with power who can actually do something about it. He warned us about the new domains of battle, the areas of cyber, in space and through economic supply chains. He warned us of the importance of fuel security, economic resilience and maintaining trust in our democratic institutions. Jim knew that protecting Australians and their interests at home and abroad is the No. 1 priority of any government, chamber and elected member, and his push for a comprehensive national security strategy has been a personal inspiration and is a cause I know many in this House will join me in taking up.

I had the privilege of working with Jim on the defence subcommittee of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee for a number of years. When Jim wasn't in the room, either because he was off doing other things or he was crook, I would often hear his voice more or less saying, 'Ask them this question.' His questions were often pitched at bureaucrats or members of the Defence Force. He would say: 'Well, what are we preparing for? What's our state of readiness in relation to X, Y and Z?' He was an incredibly powerful advocate, particularly in relation to all matters defence.

I think one of the most enduring memories I will take away of Jim is his strident, his fervent desire to want to see Australia have a national security strategy. He would say: 'It's all very well and good to have a defence strategy, but if the country itself is not united in relation to its supply chains, in relation to its manufacturing, in relation to its liquid fuel security, in relation to cyber—the protection of this country is not just about bombs and bullets. It is a whole-of not government, but a whole-of-community, a whole-of-Australia responsibility.' Jim's legacy to this parliament, to this nation, will hopefully, even though it fell on deaf ears amongst his own colleagues, be an enduring national security strategy. Because unless we have a national security strategy we are effectively attempting to defend this country in silos. And I was very, very proud to move a motion for our LNP State Council earlier this year, which was endorsed, about the importance of a national security strategy.

Jim's legacy that he has left us is a great one. I will miss him dearly because he became a good friend. I expect that many Australians will not know just how indebted we are to Jim Molan for his bravery, his foresight and his service. Jim Molan: pilot, politician, patriot, military officer, senator, servant, fighter, father, friend. On behalf of the people of Fisher, I offer my condolences to Jim's remarkable family: his wife, Anne; his children, Erin, Felicity, Michael and Sarah; and his grandchildren. To you and to Jim Molan I say simply this: thank you for your service, Jim. Rest easy, soldier, your work here is done. Be at peace. You have been a good and faithful servant. Vale, Jim Molan.

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