Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

I rise on behalf of the opposition to honour the life of Bruce Kenneth Childs. Bruce Childs, born to Frederick and Elizabeth Childs in Mascot, Sydney, went to local public schools before attending Sydney Technical High School. Upon leaving school, Bruce began learning the trade of etching as a printing apprentice and developed a love of politics, listening to the broadcasting of parliament over the radio. He named a few of his heroes as Ben Chifley, Dr Bert Evatt and Eddie Ward.

It was also during his time as an apprentice that Bruce would become involved with the printing trades union and, at the age of 17, be invited to be an observer to the union's board of management. By age 19, Bruce had joined the Australian Labor Party, led his first strike and been elected to the board of management for his trade. In 1955, he married Winifred Bradley and together they had two children. After completing his apprenticeship, Bruce worked for Fairfax newspapers and settled in Ultimo. Win and Bruce divorced in 1989, before he married Judith Larkin, who sadly passed away in 1995. It was in 1997 that he married forensic psychiatrist Yola Lucire.

Whilst serving and holding various positions with the amalgamated Printing and Kindred Industries Union, Bruce became more involved in political issues of the time, including the opposition to Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War and supporting the women's liberation movement. It was in the election of October 1980 that Bruce would take the second spot of Labor's New South Wales Senate ticket, following a 10-year position in the ALP's New South Wales branch. Bruce was re-elected to the Senate another five times, facing a series of elections due to double dissolutions.

During his 16 years of service to the parliament, he gave great commitment to chairing and contributing to many committees. Most notably, he was a member of the privileges committee for 14 years, including as chair for four years. Bruce's dedication to such committees was demonstrated when, in 1992, he delivered a paper titled The truth about parliamentary committees that gave insight and thoughtful deliberation on the purpose and role of parliamentary and Senate committees. His participation and observation of committee work led him to propose and implement the merging of roles of estimates and standing committees that was put into effect in 1994 during the redesign of Senate committees. Bruce regarded the process of Senate committees as remarkable, when political differences were set aside and committees would deliver 'a civil and productive result'.

As a driver of Labor's left faction, Bruce also held true to his values. On more than one occasion, he publicly opposed the decisions of the then Hawke government, including issuing a press release with fellow MP Gerry Hand on the decision for Australia to sell uranium to France and abstaining on the vote for Australia's involvement in the Gulf War. Throughout his career, Bruce was known as a strong supporter of young people, and particularly women, becoming active in politics. So much so that, for 25 years, he attended the ALP's women's conference as an observer.

Bruce remained politically active following his retirement from the Senate in 1997. He became president of the Evert Foundation for eight years and was a member for 21 years. During that time, he organised the 2002 Palm Sunday peace marches to protest the second Gulf War.

It is undoubtedly clear that Bruce had a lifelong commitment to serving others, and it seems fitting to conclude in his own words. During his valedictory to this chamber, he said:

… I looked at my first speech, and I must say that on the fundamentals, the ideological differences that we have, then I have not changed one iota from my first speech and the feelings of where I come from. Nevertheless, it is that contradiction between your basic fundamental beliefs and what you learn in the process that is so broadening and so marvellous, and makes you proud to be a parliamentarian. I have never identified with being a politician, but I really do identify with being a parliamentarian.

I understand that Bruce was not only a friend but a mentor to a number of those opposite and in the other chamber. We can all appreciate the value of the knowledge and guidance of those that came before us in this place, and I offer my sympathies to you at Bruce's passing. On behalf of the opposition and the Australian Senate, to Bruce's loved ones, family and friends: I extend our deep and sincere condolences.