Anne Ruston (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Health and Aged Care) Share this | Hansard source

In the 10 years that I've been in this place I've had the privilege of meeting many very interesting and dedicated people, but at the very top of that list is Jim Molan. So it's with both sadness and deep respect that I stand today in this chamber to speak to the condolence motion on the passing of Senator Andrew James (Jim) Molan AO, DSC.

Jim was a great friend, a great colleague and a great Australian. He was a true patriot, and he served his country in so many ways, whether it was through his 40 years of dedicated service, as a major general in the military, to the security and safety of this country or as the architect of Operation Sovereign Borders, where his actions saved the lives of undoubtedly many thousands of people who otherwise would have drowned at sea, or as a senator for New South Wales in this place since 2017, off and on.

On reflecting on his time as a senator, I'd describe Jim as a consistent conservative—consistent because you always knew that the position Jim would take on policies and politics was consistent with his values. He never took the easy path; he never took the convenient path. His positions were always authentic and his delivery was always one of unwavering dignity and total sincerity.

As a friend, he was thoughtful and he was generous with his time. On a personal note, that generosity was never more clear than two years ago when my 90-year-old mother came to the parliament. Mum was delighted to meet the Prime Minister. She met many cabinet ministers. She was delighted to be called out in this chamber by Senator Birmingham for being here and being my mum. She was delighted to meet Brendan Murphy, who was at the time the Chief Medical Officer, in charge of our response to the COVID pandemic. But her most cherished moment was when Jim chased her down and said g'day.

I've got to say that, as an avid Sky watcher, my mother has never, ever missed a Jim Molan performance on Sky since that day. One of her most treasured possessions is the signed copy of his book Danger on Our Doorstep, which he sent to mum with a lovely personal message. It meant so much to her, and she now regales anybody who will listen to her with her new-found knowledge of international strategic politics and China. It's gestures like this that, I think, speak to the character of the man—the fact that he was always thinking about other people, and the generosity with which he delivered that message. I'm not sure whether this is being broadcast today—possibly it's not—but I can assure you that if it were my mum would be sitting in front of the television right now listening to every single contribution. And, Erin, I think my mum has actually transferred her media loyalty to you!

Jim leaves behind an enormous legacy in the people he touched, the beautiful family who were devoted to him, the service that he gave to his country and the commitment he gave to every single person he came in touch with. My sincere condolences to you, Anne, and to Sarah, Erin, Felicity and Michael. I feel immensely honoured to have had the privilege of knowing your husband and your father. Vale, Jim Molan.