Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Hansard source

I rise on behalf of the opposition to support the condolence motion moved by Senator Wong and to associate ourselves with the sentiments of Senator Wong in relation to this motion.

Robert, or Bob, Brown was clearly devoted to the service of his community. Bob served the people of his hometown of Pelaw Main, just a few kilometres outside of Kurri Kurri, not only as a member of federal parliament but, as Senator Wong has acknowledged, also in the New South Wales parliament and in local government. Much of Bob's service through local government was concurrent with his service in the New South Wales state parliament, including terms as the mayor of Cessnock.

Beginning his professional life as a teacher, having won a scholarship to the University of Sydney, where he completed a Bachelor of Economics and a Diploma of Education, he first took up a teaching post in Broken Hill. It was there in Broken Hill that Bob met his wife, Joy, who he married in 1960 and who predeceased him by just under a year in May last year. For Bob's family, the loss of Bob on 30 March this year so soon after the loss of Joy is no doubt deeply felt.

In 1966, after other teaching roles, Bob returned to his hometown to take up a teaching position at Kurri Kurri High School, later becoming deputy principal. It was here that Bob focused his passion for history. He founded a memorial museum at the school in order to preserve the region's heritage. Only last year the museum relocated, and a room was named in his honour. Bob was there to receive that honour. History was certainly an important part of Bob's life. In 2007, into his 70s, he published Governing Australia, a three-volume series about the first 100 years of Australia's parliament. He also wrote a number of economics textbooks, including some co-authored with Joy.

It was soon after returning home to Kurri Kurri that the determination to serve his community came to the fore, although it's clear it had always been a burning passion. In 1961, he unsuccessfully ran for the then safe federal Liberal seat of Paterson. Though he didn't win, up against a sitting member and Menzies government minister, he did secure a significant 6½ per cent swing. Bob then won election to Cessnock council in 1968, where he served as mayor for his first two years on the council and again between 1974 and 1980. This was concurrent with his period as the state member for Cessnock, a seat he held in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for two years. Bob's drive to represent his local community in the federal parliament saw him win the seat of Hunter in 1980 and later the newly formed seat of Charlton, a seat he held until his retirement at the 1998 election.

Bob Brown had a very long career of public service and a long and significant parliamentary career in this parliament, which included serving as a minister, primarily in the Hawke government as minister for land transport, between 1998 and 1993. His passion for his community was reflected in his dedication to his role as a minister, where he championed and indeed achieved important steps in achieving uniform road transport regulations for Australia's trucking industry. As Senator Wong has mentioned, he was also a champion of random breath testing, encouraging states that were slow to finally introduce this important road safety initiative. That RBTs have saved so many lives cannot be doubted, and Bob Brown can take some credit for that important outcome.

But it was certainly passion for his hometown and local area that was Bob's driving force: the support for his local communities, the industries and jobs of his local communities, and his understanding—as Senator Wong referenced—of the impacts of economic transformation on those industries and jobs. He also engaged very significantly at a local level. He was president of the Kurri Kurri Lions Club and the Kurri Kurri rugby league club. In 2007, his service was recognised when he was named a member of the Order of Australia in the Queen's Birthday honours. The citation for this honour notes his 'service to the Australian parliament, particularly in the area of transport policy; to the community of the Hunter Region through local government, heritage and sporting organisations; and to economics education.' It is a broad citation reflecting his broad endeavours.

And, of course, it should be noted that Mr Brown's passion for community service was reflected in his family, his daughter, Kelly, having succeeded him as the member for Charlton from 1998 until 2007. Kelly would be known to a number of people across this parliament. On behalf of the opposition and in concurrence with the government and the Senate, to Bob's loved ones, including Kelly; her brother, Brad; and Bob and Joy's five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, I send our gratitude for his service to our beautiful nation and our sincerest condolences.

Question agreed to, honourable senators joining in a moment of silence.