Page 2052 - Week 06 - Tuesday, 21 June 2011
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wanted to make this world a better place, particularly for you three, to live in and for those that come after you three.
I know you know that. I think it is worth saying. We should not be afraid of it. And it is something we do not express enough of in this world in this day and age, that we can actually say in a public forum our love for somebody else. Again, I get back to the idea of Jim Murphy, the poster boy for the Catholic Church. It is the essence of the man. You guys know this.
It was his love for his mum. Once a week, he would drive out to Boorowa to see mum. He seldom missed it. I can remember him telling me that he was distraught on the few occasions that I know that he could not get out there, but he would always make it up. He never forgot his family. He loved you guys, he loved his brothers and sisters, his mum and dad. We are all the better for you guys.
So thank you for sharing him with us. Thank you for gracing this place today with your presence. It is an honour to speak on behalf of my friend Jim Murphy. As I said at estimates that day when Mr Barr was before us, “Members, enjoy the good times.”
MR COE (Ginninderra): I, too, rise to briefly put on the record my lasting thoughts and impression of Jim’s life and Jim’s achievements and his commitment to our community. My involvement with Jim was largely restricted to the Liberal Party. We have heard today about many other aspects of Jim’s life, but my involvement was not quite exclusively but largely restricted to the Liberal Party. I can remember as a young person joining the party back in 2000, in the days of the Carnell government, going to branch meetings and to policy conventions and divisional council meetings. Whenever Jim was there, there was gravitas. Wherever he was, whether it be with the Liberal Party or elsewhere, he was always one of the notables in the room. He was always someone who had influence; he was always someone who really did stand out. I think he really added a tremendous amount to every community. I know for the Liberal Party he certainly made a huge contribution.
I served alongside Jim on the management committee of the Liberal Party at the time of the 2004 election and just before and just afterwards. It was a pretty tough time for the party, there is no doubt about that. It was a very difficult time for the management committee; there were a lot of heated discussions and a lot of things that happened that I think really tested the characters of those people on the committee. But I have no doubt that all those who served at that time did so with a commitment to the party and did what they thought was best for the party.
Jim’s contribution to the party, especially during the Carnell years but throughout his membership, really was immeasurable. He was someone who brought credence, he brought credibility, he brought real influence to the organisation. To a large extent, I think he actually represents to a T what the Liberal Party is all about. It is about family, it is about commitment, it is about community, it is about business, it is about values—not in isolation, but intertwining them and actually delivering upon it as well. I think Jim’s contribution to the party will be very sorely missed. He will be heralded as one of the great movers and shakers in the party and someone who gave an immeasurable amount to the party and, through the party, to Canberra.
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