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From Curtin to Kerr . . Page.. 1183 ..

I would like to relate a couple of anecdotes because that is the way I like to think of Fred, I think that is the way many people like to think of him, and I think that is the way he would have liked to be remembered. A favourite is one that one of my staff members related to me. When some visitors were being shown around King’s Hall in the Old Parliament House the division bells rang. One woman who was very disturbed by what sounded like an alarm in the house asked Fred what was happening. He replied by conspiratorially taking her aside and saying, “One of them has escaped! Never mind; we will get him”. I am also told that when a total stranger to politics and the political arena, Senator Albert Field, was sent down to Canberra by Bjelke-Petersen many years ago, Fred described Albert as having the same predicament as an artificially inseminated cow: He knew something wonderful had happened to him, but he was not quite sure how it had happened.

Fred's contribution to politics, to social justice and to the people of Australia will be long remembered. For me, Mr Speaker, my introduction to politics, I guess, was reading From Curtin to Kerr. It was the first political book I had read. I had a copy that had been autographed by Fred. I must say that I cannot remember who it was I lent it to but if anybody does know I would really appreciate its coming back to me. It was certainly my introduction to politics. Our sense of humour is something that we could all work on and improve. I do not think any of us will ever get to the same level as Fred Daly, but certainly if we worked towards it it would improve the politics of this Assembly and of this country. I hope, Mr Speaker, that Fred Daly’s enormous contribution not only to the people of Australia but to the people of Canberra will be long remembered.

MS HORODNY: Even though Kerrie and I did not know Fred Daly personally, his reputation as a voice for the broader community was well known. As part of the new generation of politicians we can certainly take a leaf or two out of this old hand's book on survival skills for our parliamentary work. Fred Daly was an outstanding politician who never lost the common touch. His natural curiosity and exuberance for life permeated his 32 years of political involvement and his active retirement. His commitment to, and compassion for, ordinary people, born out of his experiences of the Depression years, never wavered.

His life is a positive lesson for all of us who pursue the political life. It is well acknowledged that he was held in high esteem by both sides of the house, as he had the ability to deal with his opponents generously and yet still hold his own party's position. His well-known humour was honed to a fine political tool that was effectively wielded without malice or bitterness. His tactics were tough and skilful and always honourable. There was nothing he said privately that could not be repeated publicly. Twenty-three years of his 32-year political career were spent on the opposition benches; yet his tenacity and belief in the value and necessity for the parliamentary system and the ideals he held saw him through those times and provided the basis for strong leadership in his years as Leader of the House.

He will also be well remembered for his contribution to electoral reform. His efforts gave 18-year-olds the right to vote, equal value for every vote for the House of Representatives, regular distributions of electorates, and citizens of Territories the right to vote for the Senate. Through his efforts to enhance representative government, he enabled politics to be brought to the people. Even after his retirement

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