Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I too rise in this condolence motion to pay tribute to and honour the life of Anthony Austin Street—Tony Street. As a former member for Corangamite myself, Tony Street was legendary in terms of the contribution that he made to the Corangamite community over some nearly 18 years.

I had the great joy of having afternoon tea with Tony and his wife, Ricky, last year. It was clear that Tony was very frail, at some 95 years of age, but we had the most joyous and wonderful discussion over a couple of hours where he spoke of his lifetime of service, his love of the Liberal Party and his focus on consensus—on getting things done through taking the middle ground and bringing people with him. That included his local constituents, people on both sides of the House and all those with whom he dealt, even when he was the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I can't repeat many of the stories, but they were fabulous. I did ask if he would record some of the stories. He declined. He was never someone to promote himself. He was a true gentleman, and, when I messaged his son Geoffrey earlier today to ask how he and his brothers wanted Tony Street to be remembered, Geoffrey said: 'We don't really want very much. We only want for people to know that our father was a real gentleman. He was respected on both sides of the House, and he was also someone who rejected extreme views.'

We have heard in this debate the contribution that Tony Street made to this parliament and to this nation. He came from a political family; indeed his father was the member for Corangamite. Tragically, his father, Brigadier Geoffrey Street, died when Tony was only 14 years old. Tony went to Melbourne Grammar. He attended with Malcolm Fraser. He was the school captain in 1944. Following his schooling, he joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1944 as a gunnery radar operator, serving on HMAS Norman, HMAS Queenborough and HMAS Shropshire, including seeing action in the Pacific. He joined the Liberal Party in 1946 and, as we know, he was elected to the seat of Corangamite in 1966, where he served for almost 18 years.

In his maiden speech, Tony Street said:

… extension work in its broadest sense is probably the primary producer's most valuable weapon in his continual battle against rising costs.

He was underlining the value that computers and data analysis would play in the increasing complexity of farming operations. He had a great love of the land; he was born of the land. While he settled in Ocean Grove in his later years, the love of the land never left him.

Tony Street was highly respected by people from all walks of life for his effectiveness, fairness and decency. He served with great distinction in a number of ministerial roles, including as assistant minister for labour and national service during Billy McMahon's term; as shadow minister, during the Whitlam years, for social security and welfare, for health, for primary industry, for shipping and transport and for science and technology; and, under Prime Minister Fraser, as Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations, Minister Assisting the Prime Minister in Public Service Matters and Minister for Foreign Affairs.

As Australia's representative on the world stage, Tony Street promoted the importance of consensus and strove to chart a new course for Australia as a middle power. In that role he steered the legislation for the foundation of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research through parliament, and he played a key role in the negotiation of the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement in 1983. He held, as I said, a strong belief in consensus.

He was also renowned as being a great cricketer. In fact, he had real potential and, perhaps if his life had taken a different course, he may have played for Australia. He was endearingly known as 'the little leg spinner from Corangamite'. His attitude to cricket was a profound metaphor for life. Wherever he went he carried in his attache case an old, much bowled cricket ball. Every night he would grip it and spin the ball for practice, to keep his fingers strong, just in case.

We have lost a great Liberal with the passing of Tony Street, and we've lost a great local resident. We have lost someone who was a true parliamentarian, who put the service of his community and his nation ahead of himself. I would like to convey my deepest condolences to Tony Street's family, particularly his wife, Ricky, and his three sons, Geoffrey, Philip and Alan. May he rest in peace.

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