Page 3540 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Margaret, a strong, fulfilled woman was not only his greatest support but also his greatest critic. Their relationship was one of those enduring relationships that withstood the stresses of political life because, I believe, of their great love and respect for each other and for their children.
I also spoke with him and Margaret at the Order of Australia conference dinner some time ago. I was with Ian, and as soon as he recognised Ian he said, “Your father, Douglas, was a returning officer at Merrylands west branch and a very fine returning officer he was, too.” These were two of Gough’s great qualities: the ability to immediately put you at your ease and of course his incredible memory, which was legendary.
I also had the privilege of being a delegate to the ALP national conference in 2007 where both he and Margaret were invested with life membership of their beloved party. He insisted on walking to the podium, even though he entered in a wheelchair, and he was assisted to the stage by his long-time friend, John Faulkner.
I extend my condolences to Gough’s family and friends. I am proud to be able to stand in his shadow.
DR BOURKE (Ginninderra): In 1944 at the National Press Club in Washington, then PM John Curtin said:
I am the leader of the radical party in Australia, I believe predominantly that government should be the agency whereby the masses should be lifted up.
Ben Chifley, in his light on the hill speech at the 1949 New South Wales Labor Party conference, said:
I try to think of the Labour movement, not as putting an extra sixpence into somebody’s pocket, or making somebody Prime Minister or Premier, but as a movement bringing something better to the people, better standards of living, greater happiness to the mass of people. We have a great objective—the light on the hill—which we aim to reach by working for the betterment of mankind not only here but anywhere we may give a helping hand. If it were not for that, the Labour movement would not be worth fighting for.
The Australian Labor Party believes that the purpose of government is to build a better society.
Throughout human history, our tradition as human beings has been to want to take care of each other. In our hearts, we know that it is the right thing to do, the decent thing to do. In our heads, we also know that taking care of everybody is the sensible thing to do, that a just and fair society breeds peace and prosperity for all. We seek to achieve this change through democracy and with respect to human rights. Our beliefs are in contrast to our opponents, who believe in the power of one, the freedom of business and the ascendency of the strong.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video