David Van (Victoria, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

I rise to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, whose time amongst us was tragically cut short by such a heinous crime. Shinzo Abe was not only Japan's longest serving postwar prime minister; he was also the most consequential leader Japan had had in decades, whose statecraft and wisdom transcended the islands of Japan to become a global leader.

Abe-san grew from simply being Japan's leader to being a global leader—a statesman of such standing that one does not come by very often. He saw the threats to Japan and the free world as they are, not what people wish they would be. With his citizens' security and welfare in mind, he acted boldly and with confidence.

During his tenure as Japan's longest serving prime minister, Abe-san revolutionised his nation's foreign policy by centralising the national defence system, reinterpreting the constitution to make collective defence possible and adopting an activist role in world affairs. Moreover, he devised a grand strategy for managing China's rising economic and military power more deliberately and successfully than any other world leader.

One of his crowning achievements, as has been mentioned, is how he breathed life back into the Quad and drove it to be one of the strongest forces for stability in the Indo-Pacific. He did champion the term 'a free and open Indo-Pacific', something important to all Australians and peace-loving people in the region. The strength of the Quad, of integrated deterrence, of having friends is one of the key strengths Australia has on the world stage. This was amplified by our joining the Quad that Abe-san so ably helped build.

The legacy left by such a giant of global politics cannot be summarised in the few words I have here. However, we are forever grateful for his contributions to developing the Quad, a stronger Japan and a more stable Pacific. We are indebted to him for his sacrifice, his service and his devotion to promoting democratic values across the globe. At a time of increased geopolitical upheaval, the world needs more leaders with the courage and conviction that Shinzo Abe possessed, not less.

Abe-san's passing will be deeply mourned around the world. While Japan has lost a great leader and Australia has lost a true friend, his wisdom and global leadership will be sorely missed. I pass on my condolences to the government and people of Japan and especially to His Excellency the Ambassador of Japan to Australia, Shingo Yamagami.