Anthony Albanese (Grayndler, Australian Labor Party, Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

on indulgence—I rise to pay my respect on the death last Friday evening of Fay Marles. Fay Marles showed us what a trailblazer truly is. She made a real difference. Crucially, she made a lasting difference for women in particular, but ultimately for the nation.

Fay was appointed Victoria's first Commissioner of Equal Opportunity, in 1977, following the Hamer government's introduction of the Equal Opportunities Act. She was the first woman to become deputy chancellor of the University of Melbourne, in 1986. Fay was the first woman to become chancellor of the University of Melbourne, in 2001. Fay was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1986. She was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women, for her leadership and dedication to human rights, in 2010.

Throughout her 98 years, Fay led a life that was full and complete and was about compassion for others and making a difference. This is from Melbourne university's statement:

Fay Marles was a leading feminist in Victoria and a fierce advocate for the right of women to take their place in Australia's workforce.

To my friend the Deputy Prime Minister and all of the Marles family, on behalf of the parliament, we express our sincerest condolences on your loss. May Fay Marles AM rest in peace.

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

on indulgence—I thank the Prime Minister for his very generous and appropriate words. I extend our condolences, as a coalition, to the Deputy Prime Minister, and to his family, on the loss of his mother, a woman who, as the Prime Minister just detailed, accomplished so much in her life and who, I know, was a role model for the Deputy Prime Minister and for his siblings and an inspiration to the Marles family. To become the deputy chancellor, the vice-chancellor and the chancellor, among many other career highlights, and to manage a family at the same time speaks to the character and the tenacity of Fay Marles, and we wish every comfort to the Marles family. May Fay Marles rest in peace.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Milton Dick (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

We will now move to questions without notice.