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

I rise to join with the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate in acknowledging the life of the Hon. Anthony John Messner, known to all as 'Tony'. Tony Messner was the only child of Thelma and Colin Messner, a banking officer. His father, while working for the Bank of Adelaide, moved the family across the country, with, as Senator Farrell acknowledged, Tony's childhood being spent across Adelaide, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. He followed in his father's footsteps and, after finishing his education, was employed by the ANZ Bank before taking on chartered accountancy work in Mount Gambier and, later, in Adelaide, from 1965 to 1975. In 1963, Tony married Louise, with whom he had two sons, before later marrying Robyn in 1983. While living in Mount Gambier, Tony became involved with local community organisations, including the local chamber of commerce and what would become the South Australian Liberal Party.

Like most pathways into politics, Tony's wasn't always one of smooth sailing. Having joined the then Liberal and Country League, Tony would be an unsuccessful candidate for preselection for the state seat of Davenport in 1972. He would also be unsuccessful on the Senate ticket of the 1974 double-dissolution election before ultimately being elected to the Senate in the coalition landslide victory at the 1975 election. During his time in the Senate, Tony navigated his passion for tax reform, befitting his chartered accountancy background, while also holding a range of portfolios across the shadow ministry, including social security, community services, finance and taxation, industry and commerce, communications and public administration, to name most but not all of them.

Five years into Tony's time in the Senate, he was appointed to the ministry to the positions of Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Treasurer—as Senator Farrell acknowledged, one John Howard at that time—in the Fraser government. As Minister for Veterans' Affairs, though for only a few years, Tony Messner certainly left a clear legacy in terms of his work on issues of repatriation benefits and other supports for Australia's veterans community.

After the defeat of the Fraser government in 1983, then opposition leader Andrew Peacock appointed Tony as spokesman on social security matters. Tony was judged by the media of the day to have maintained a high profile in that role as shadow social security minister through the vigour and persistence of his attacks on the Hawke government's introduction of an assets test for the age pension at the time. When John Howard assumed the Liberal Party leadership in September 1985, Tony, who was a friend and strong supporter of John Howard's, was promoted further into the shadow front bench as spokesperson on finance and taxation.

In that same month as his appointment, a shadow cabinet paper prepared by Tony was leaked to the late-night ABC TV current affairs program. The document in question laid out a strategy of how best to respond to the Hawke government's stated intention to introduce fringe benefits and capital gains taxes. It also addressed some speculation that there could be coalition senators who might cross the floor on these matters. Tony's reaction was quintessential to his style, and that was by no means to take a backwards step but instead to move a motion urging the government to abandon its proposal for a capital gains tax because of the destructive effects this would have on incentive. Tony's motion was debated on the first Tuesday in November of 1985, Melbourne Cup Day. Tony decided to make the most of the timing, telling the Senate at the time:

Twenty-six or 27 of the best horses in Australia race in one race and we make sure that the one that has the best chance of winning is weighed down with lead. That is the kind of approach adopted by this Government.

In each of his shadow portfolios, Tony took bold stances. When appointed shadow minister for public administration, he declared, 'The real world of today is tough, mean and lean, and it demands a tough, lean and mean public service.' He continued by proposing sweeping changes to the Commonwealth Public Service, including the need to set up independent watchdogs within each department to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiency.

Tony was eventually stood down from the front bench by Andrew Peacock in 1989 and, later that year, announced his intention to resign. In 1990, he was replaced in the Senate by then former South Australian opposition leader and later to become South Australian Premier John Olsen. The Senate opposition leader at the time of Tony Messner's resignation, Robert Hill, reflected on Tony's Senate career, stating that Tony 'possessed fine political skills' and had been unlucky in the timing of his political career because 'the time in which he was high in the pecking order in our shadow ministries were the years in which we were losing elections'. It is true, indeed, that Tony's contribution, though important as a minister, was especially marked during his time in opposition.

Tony's funeral service was held near his and Robyn's home at Berry in New South Wales, where they had settled in retirement. A eulogy was given by former prime minister John Howard. Not only was Tony the Minister Assisting the Treasurer during John Howard's tenure in that portfolio from 1980 to 1983, but, quite famously, Tony Messner and Mr Howard shared a flat in Canberra, along with the late Senator Warwick Parer, during many years of parliamentary sittings. Mr Howard spoke fondly of being able to share with completely trusted colleagues and the mutual friendships they all developed, including their spouses, during their time sharing that Canberra flat. He also spoke of an enjoyable holiday that he and Janette had had on Norfolk Island during the time Tony was administrator there. Tony's background as an accountant before entering parliament was invaluable in his time as Minister Assisting the Treasurer, and Mr Howard spoke happily of delegating to him responsibility for the Australian Taxation Office because of that expertise that Tony held.

After leaving the Senate, Tony returned to Adelaide, becoming treasurer of the Operation Flinders Foundation, a charity that continues to run a wilderness adventure program for young offenders and youths at risk.

As acknowledged, in 1987 he was appointed Administrator of Norfolk Island and held that position until 2003. In 2004 he was appropriately acknowledged as a Member of the Order of Australia for his service to parliament, Norfolk Island and the community. From then until 2009 he continued to hold the positions of director and chairman for Health Services Australia.

Tony Messner's life was one of dedication to his community and of fierce advocacy around his passions. We thank Tony for his contributions in this place and his service to Australia. On behalf of the Senate, the opposition and in particular the Liberal Party: to Tony's loved ones, his wife, Robyn, and his family, we extend our sincere condolences and thanks.

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