Anne Stanley (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise to let the House know that a stalwart of the Labor Party in my part of the world died just before Christmas. James Brassil was more affectionately known as Jim, and it was my honour to attend his funeral and speak on behalf of the party.

Jim was Labor through and through. He worked for Labor royalty, including Gough Whitlam's deputy, Lance Barnard, as his chief of staff. When he was a child, he met Ben Chifley, who was then the Prime Minister. But it was his role on that day, 11 November 1975, that ensured that Jim and Gough Whitlam could make his famous speech on the steps of parliament. Jim made sure that the power kept that microphone on so that Gough could utter those now very legendary words.

He had all the credentials. He was a staffer and activist, a member of the AAT and the Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal, chairman and CEO of Worksafe Australia, and a life member of the ALP.

I received word a few weeks before his death that he'd like me to come and see him and have a chat. Jim was at that point in a nursing home. He'd spent most of his time in that home making sure that they all voted for me, and had done that over my time here. I'd like to give my condolences to his family. I appreciate very much that they let me speak at his funeral.