Bridget McKenzie (Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development) Share this | Hansard source

As Leader of the National Party in the Senate, I rise to join all senators and, indeed, former Senate leaders Nigel Scullion and Ron Boswell in giving this condolence speech about Grant 'Tambo' Tambling, particularly on behalf of National Party senators, honouring and acknowledging his life and service and, as we like to know him, Tambo. He was a distinguished servant of the Northern Territory and the Australian parliament.

He was the eldest of three children, born in Queensland on 20 June 1943, and he was named after the USS President Grant, which was used to evacuate his parents out of Darwin to Queensland during World War II. His parents, both school teachers, had married in Darwin in 1941 and returned there in 1946 after his father served in the war. Despite a brief stint in Sydney, where he met his wife, Sandy, he lived most of his life in the Territory. He was fiercely loyal and proud to be a Territorian.

Tambo was a man of conviction and dedication and had an unrelenting passion for the people he represented. Over the course of his long and distinguished career, he made a significant and lasting contribution to the advancement of the Northern Territory, the strength of regional Australia and the cause of the National Party and the Country Liberal Party.

His parliamentary career spanned over three decades and he served at all four levels of government, serving as an alderman with the Darwin City Council from 1972 to 1974, before being elected to the seat of Fannie Bay in the first-ever Territory assembly in 1974. He then served as the member for the Northern Territory in the House of Representatives for three years, and later as a senator for the Northern Territory from 1987 to 2001. After politics, he was appointed Norfolk Island administrator from 2003 to 2007 during the Howard-Anderson-Vaile government. He also served as National Party Whip, a time-honoured tradition, it would seem, for National Party senators, and Deputy Leader of the Nationals in the Senate for a number of years, and, after the 1996 election, he was appointed as parliamentary secretary for six years.

Paul Davey, Senator Davey's late father, who wrote the book on the National Party, talked about Tambo, saying:

Tambling's tenure as Member for the Northern Territory lasted only one term, but helped to shape his main political interests: Aboriginal advancement, statehood and further development for the Northern Territory, defence, and closer links with South-East Asia, particularly Indonesia.

These are Paul Davey's words: 'Round-faced and jovial, Tambling was a tenacious character who preferred to resolve issues by negotiation rather than confrontation, but who was not afraid to mix it with the best in all political forums and stand firm on his beliefs.' It seems like that is a template for Territorian senators who serve in the National Party party room.

His work in public life was instrumental in shaping the Northern Territory's policy landscape, particularly in regional development, Indigenous affairs and health. Across both chambers, he carried with him a fierce determination to see the Territory thrive economically, socially and politically. He was a dedicated champion for better services and opportunities for Indigenous Australians—a cause to which he committed himself with sincerity and purpose. His leadership as the Administrator of Norfolk Island reflected his enduring belief in the power of strong, community-driven governance. Throughout his parliamentary career, he was a strong advocate of federal initiatives such as the joint defence facility at Pine Gap, the construction of the Alice Springs to Darwin leg of the north-south railway and the expansion of mining, including uranium.

In his first speech in the House of Representatives, he made several observations that are as relevant today as they were in 1980, when he made them. Firstly, he said:

The electorate of the Northern Territory may be short on population but it is not lacking in importance to the nation or in natural resources.

…   …   …

It is impossible for honourable members, without personal knowledge, to appreciate the value to the Commonwealth of the vast area of country which I now represent, or to visualise its immense possibilities.

How true those words are. The Northern Territory continues to be essential to the prosperity of our nation and still has vast possibilities if it's given the chance to succeed.

Secondly, he said:

The ALP's policies on uranium are negative and useless.

Senator Farrell, it's great to see you in the chamber for this condolence, because it would seem that former senator Tambling's words are as true today, unfortunately for your political party, as they were when he made them. Thirty-four years later, nothing has changed.

The passing of Grant Tambling is a great loss, not only to those who knew him personally but to the broader political and public policy community. His service to this nation, particularly the people of the Northern Territory, leaves a lasting legacy that will be remembered with great respect.

I know his family should be very proud of the contribution he made on behalf of his community; his political party, the CLP, and the National Party; and, indeed, the Australian people. On behalf of the Nationals in the Senate, I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife, Sandy; his son, Coryn; his daughter, Amalia; and his grandchildren, Reuben, Hamish and Castiella; his friends; and all of those who had the great privilege to work alongside him. Vale, Grant Tambling.