Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I move:

That the Senate records its sadness at the death, on 14 November 2024, of the Honourable John Charles Hodges, former Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs and former member for Petrie, places on record its gratitude for his service to the Parliament and tenders its sympathy to his family in their bereavement.

I rise on behalf of the government to express our condolences following the passing of former minister and member of the House the Hon. John Charles Hodges, who passed away on 14 November 2024 at the age of 87. As I begin, I firstly convey the government's condolences to Mr Hodges's family and friends. I do so as the minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs in this chamber, recognising the portfolio held by Mr Hodges, but I also do so as a fellow Queenslander.

Born in Brisbane in 1937 and raised in Cooktown in Far North Queensland, John Hodges studied to become a pharmacist, in a move that would form the foundation of not just his career in politics but his life's work in community service. Mr Hodges returned to Brisbane to complete his studies, and, after serving as a pharmacist, he began his political career on the Redcliffe City Council, where he eventually served as deputy mayor. He followed on to serve as campaign director for Nelson Cooke in the 1972 federal election and went on to replace him at the next election as the new Liberal member for Petrie in 1974. Successful in his move to federal politics, Mr Hodges went on to serve the division of Petrie, mostly uninterrupted, for over 11 years. John Hodges was re-elected in 1975, 1977 and 1980 but was defeated at the general election in 1983 by the incoming Hawke government. This would only be a short defeat, as he regained the seat after just one term, in 1984. He would hold this seat until 1987.

During his time in federal politics, Mr Hodges served on several committees and was for a time the deputy whip in the House of Representatives. However, his defining legacy would be his brief yet impactful appointment as the Minister for Immigration and Ethnic Affairs in 1982 under the Fraser government. Mr Hodges stated:

Immigration is an important catalyst in Australia's continuing development. It is to the credit of the Australian-born and to newcomers alike that we continue to share fundamental values of national unity and equal opportunity for all.

While Mr Hodges and I shared differing opinions on many issues across the political spectrum, this statement rings true today and speaks to the type of man he was.

Mr Hodges was a man of integrity who believed in fairness and the importance of reward for good, honest hard work. As a minister in the Fraser government, he sought to address labour shortages through skilled migration and introduced reforms to the migration system. This included overseeing the introduction of freedom of information laws in the migration system, a significant reform that afforded greater transparency and accountability in Australia's immigration system.

Following Mr Hodges's retirement from politics, he returned to his professional roots and, with his wife, purchased a pharmacy on Bribie Island to continue his service to the community in perhaps a more personal way, and worked to eventually own or part-own four of the five pharmacies on the island. For 30 years Mr Hodges was known as a dear friend to the community in Bribie, becoming the founding patron for the Bribie Island Diabetes Support Group, of which he was named an honorary life patron after 22 years in the role. He was also generous in his support for local groups, sports clubs and schools in the Bribie community and always willing to lend his support to those in need.

Today we acknowledge that generosity of spirit and celebrate the life and achievements of the Hon. John Charles Hodges. The government expresses its condolences following his passing, and we again convey our sympathies to his family and those who knew him well.