Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate expresses its deep regret at the death, on 18 December 2020, of Major General the Honourable Phillip Michael Jeffery AC, AO, CVO, MC, former Governor-General of Australia and Governor of Western Australia, places on record its gratitude and appreciation of his long and distinguished public service, and tenders its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.

Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery was a brave soldier, an intellect, a gentleman and, above all else, a great Australian who served his country with honour and distinction. He leaves behind an impressive legacy, a life of selfless service to our nation. Following a distinguished 38-year career in the Australian Defence Force, Major General Jeffery was appointed the 27th Governor of Western Australia. He then went on to become the 24th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Major General Jeffery—Philip Michael Jeffery—was born in Wiluna, Western Australia, in 1937 to Edna and Phil Jeffery, and was educated in Cannington and East Victoria Park state schools and Kent Street high school. At age 16 he left Perth to attend the Royal Military College at Duntroon. Serving the Australian Defence Force in many capacities, he rose to the rank of Major General, retiring in 1993. Throughout his long and distinguished military service, Major General Jeffery undertook operations in Malaya, Borneo, Vietnam and Papua New Guinea, the latter being a country he would continue to hold a special connection with throughout his life.

During a tour of Vietnam, as an infantry company commander with the 8th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, he was awarded the Military Cross for courageous action, and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. In 1976 he assumed command of the SAS Regiment in Perth, and was subsequently promoted to colonel as the first director of the Army's Special Action Forces. From 1981 to 1983 Major General Jeffery headed Australia's national counterterrorist coordination authority.

After being selected to attend the Royal College of Defence Studies in London he was promoted to major general, progressing to command the Army's 1st Division and later serving as Deputy Chief of the General Staff, undertaking the responsibility for the day-to-day running of a 65,000-person Army.

Upon Major General Jeffery's retirement from the military he became the Governor of Western Australia in 1993, particularly lending his efforts to youth programs for which he would later be awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia for services to the Crown and to the community. Reflecting on his own time in the Army Cadets, Major General Jeffery was a strong believer in youth groups and making sure that young Australians had the best chance to succeed. With education driving his admiration for the teaching profession, he said:

What I have found universally is that it is the educational experience that most influences the quality of lives, offers choice, fosters independence, and promotes potential. Teachers share the privilege of being able to influence and to inspire. I want teaching to be seen and respected as the noble profession, and there are ways in which we all can work together to make that happen.

He committed himself, as Governor, to promoting those ideals.

Following his retirement as Governor of Western Australia in 2000, he established in Perth a not-for-profit research institute, Future Directions International, whose object is to conduct comprehensive research of important medium- to long-term issues facing Australia. It was an embodiment of his lifelong commitment to the betterment of our nation.

On 11 August 2003 Major General Jeffery was sworn in as the 24th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia. In doing so, he became the first Australian-born Governor-General to have had a full-time military career. Known during his time as Governor of Western Australia to have visited even the tiniest of outback settlements, former Prime Minister John Howard said in the appointment of Major General Jeffery that he:

… will bring to the post not only a wealth of experience but also a great ease of manner in dealing with Australians from every part of the community.

Then opposition leader Simon Crean, on the appointment of Major General Jeffery, described him as:

… a man who has served his country in peace and war with distinction, and has been recognised with one of this country's highest decorations for bravery in battle.

Major General Jeffery saw his time as Governor-General as having three distinct functions—constitutional, ceremonial and community, each wielding importance—which he fulfilled with distinction. Rather than actively seeking the limelight during his time as our Governor-General, Major General Jeffery focused on communities and was true to his word upon his appointment:

… I want to give my total commitment to the Australian people that I will endeavour to be a Governor-General of the people and for the people …

As Governor-General, he gave an estimated 850 speeches, attended some 1,100 events throughout Australia, hosted over 750 official functions, was patron to around 180 not-for-profit organisations—often visiting them at least once a year—and held Christmas parties for nearly 4,000 special needs children and their carers.

Major General Jeffery believed in nurturing Australia's relationships, developing personal dialogues and friendships across the globe, from visiting King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to hosting then US President George W Bush. In 2005, upon attending the 30th anniversary of Papua New Guinea's independence, he was awarded the honorary Grand Companion of the Order of Logohu for fostering close relations between Papua New Guinea and Australia. Thousands lined the streets of Wewak to greet Major General Jeffery where he had served as a battalion commander. He impressed locals by conversing in pidgin, and many of those old soldiers in PNG walked days from their villages to say hello again. In an apt end to Major General Jeffery's time as Governor-General, Papuan Sergeant Major Michael Pissa, who served under Major General Jeffery more than 40 years earlier, piped his farewell from office.

In retirement, Major General Jeffery was appointed the first national Advocate for Soil Health by the Gillard government in 2012. In this role he strove to provide leadership and national strategic direction to the good work being done by soil scientists and landscape managers across Australia. He worked tirelessly, from Parliament House to the paddocks of the outback, to raise public awareness of the critical role soil plays in underpinning sustainable productivity and helping to meet global challenges, including food, water security and climate change. Highly influential in the role, his impact brought change to attitudes regarding sustainable practices to improve soil health, with farmers more willing to talk about regenerative agriculture, and ministers more mindful of implementing policies that support healthy landscapes. I personally remember the thoughtful, considered and diligent way in which Major General Jeffery approached his role as national Advocate for Soil Health, including in one-on-one meetings with me and, no doubt, with many other members, senators and ministers. His work ethic was unwavering; indeed, Major General Jeffery remained in this role until shortly before his passing.

Throughout his extraordinary life, Major General Jeffery was supported by his wife of 35 years, Marlena. Extraordinary in her own right, Marlena was appointed as Dame of Grace in the Order of St John and awarded the accolade Citizen of Western Australia, for her work with so many charities. Admired for her compassion, Marlena was also patron to more than 50 charities during Major General Jeffery's time as Governor-General. Major General Jeffery often expressed his deep appreciation and affection for Marlena, declaring that he would never have been able to make the types of contributions he did without her support and contribution.

A great man with a distinguished career, he remained humble, stating during in his time as Governor-General:

… if people can look back at our term in office and say, 'The Jefferys did a good job', then that will be enough for me.

By every measure, Major General the Hon. Michael Jeffery was truly one of Australia's finest. To Major General Jeffery's wife, Marlena, their three sons, daughter and grandchildren, on behalf of the Australian government and the Australian Senate, I offer our sincerest condolences.