James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Shadow Assistant Minister to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of Queenslanders and the Queensland Liberal-National Party, I pay my respects to the late Jim Molan, his family, his staff and his many, many, many friends. Let life not be measured by length of words or speeches but by service—and Jim Molan served. Jim Molan served God, Queen and country. He served our Liberal cause. He served with distinction that our words today, no matter how worthy, will but touch. He was a patriot—a patriot who served the crusade for freedom as a soldier, diplomat, leader and author; a general who, as he rose through the ranks, never forgot those who worked with him on that path. Senator Molan forgot more about the strategic challenges facing Australia than most would ever learn—not that he forgot much.

As a senator, a parliamentarian, he saw his role as protector, defender and fighter for and of the values that built Australia and actually within his own party, the Liberal Party of New South Wales. He was as humble as he was passionate, as polite as he was steely, as funny as he was thoughtful, full of the joys of life no matter what life threw at him. Jim lived with gratitude for that life and for his family. We are thankful for his sacrifices and that of his family. Australia is poorer—much poorer—with the passing of Senator Molan. We honour his service as a servant leader, and it is up to all of us in this place to deliver on the legacy of Senator Molan in the words and speeches that we have delivered today.