Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate records its deep regret at the death, on 10 March 2013, of Brian Roper Archer, former senator for Tasmania, places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service and tenders its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.

Brian was born on 21 August 1929 at Calder, Tasmania. Before entering parliament, Brian was a real estate consultant and a farmer. He was elected to the Senate in July 1975 and served until his resignation in January 1994, when his replacement was Senator Abetz. Brian Archer was an active and engaged member of numerous committees throughout his near 20-year service to the Senate, chairing several of these committees. Brian was also a parliamentary representative to many conferences, delegations and visits. For a period in the mid-1980s, Brian also served as the shadow special minister of state and spokesman on science in Mr Howard's shadow ministries.

Before he was elected to the Senate, Brian had a background as a real estate consultant and a cattle breeder, well known for developing the limousin breed of cattle on his farm in Northern Tasmania. Brian's knowledge of farming, cattle breeding and fishing informed his work in the Senate. Always the advocate for Tasmania and all things Tasmanian, Brian's ongoing support of the resources and primary industries sectors of Tasmania remained central to his work in the Senate. I am sure that Brian was immensely proud of the development in recent years of Tasmania's reputation for fine foods and especially for the development of the dairy, farmed fish, wine and fresh fruit and vegetable industries.

Brian was known as a quiet achiever for his productive work as a senator. He was also respected and admired by his colleagues for the support he gave to them. Brian regarded the Senate as the more civilised of the two chambers of this parliament, and I am sure that is a view shared by all present. His attitude was that senators represented their respective states. On several occasions, he crossed the floor to vote with the ALP on issues, yet he was also a strong supporter of the role of the Senate in scrutinising policy legislation, and his considerable contribution to committee work was widely recognised by all on his retirement. On behalf of the government, I offer condolences to his family.