Speech in the ACT Legislative Assembly
19 November 2009
I would like to pay tribute to the Hon Michael Hodgman QC MP, Liberal Member for Denison in the Tasmanian Parliament. Today, Mr Hodgman announced he would not be recontesting his seat at the March 2010 election.
Mr Hodgman first entered politics in 1966 as member for the Tasmanian Legislative Council seat of Huon. He served in the upper house until 1974 and was elected as the Federal Member for Denison in 1975, a seat he held until 1987. In 1992, he was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly seat of Denison.
In 1998 when the Assembly reduced in size from 35 to 25, Mr Hodgman lost his seat but re-entered the Assembly again in 2001.
The Liberal Party are doing well in the polls and he can take much personal pride in being a part of the team, led by his son, which is in a strong position to win Government next year. In his own electorate, the Liberals look like gaining a second seat.
Many in Canberra will have fond memories of Mr Hodgman when he served as Minister for the Capital Territory in the Fraser Government.
Today, in Parliament he said
In 1980 I had been fortunate enough to be appointed Minister for the Capital Territory and Minister assisting the Minister for Industry and Commerce. The Australian Capital Territory of course at that time had no self-government, so I was effectively the local Mayor, Local Council and Minister all rolled into one.
During this time, much happened in Canberra. Such activity included:
- Construction at Australian Defence Force Academy began
- The AIS was opened
- Significant work at Parliament house was undertaken
- The National Gallery was opened
- and many other significant projects
We Canberrans have much to be grateful to Mr Hodgman for.
Today, he also said:
But I do strongly believe that the essence of being a Member of Parliament is sometimes best found in the constituency work that a backbencher does.
When someone comes to see their local Member, or writes to them, or rings them, or e-mails them, they have often exhausted all their options. They are often at their wit’s end.
And there is no more noble task for any Member of Parliament – Liberal, Labor, Green, Independent or anything else – but to give those people a voice.
Sometimes it is helping with a housing problem. Or fighting bureaucracy. Sometimes it is organising a Petition for them. Or asking a Question in Parliament. Or having a quiet word in the ear of a Minister in the Chamber asking for some consideration for this particular person’s plight.
Sometimes it is writing a representation for them. Sometimes it is holding up a banner and marching with them. Sometimes it is making a speech on the adjournment for them, or visiting them at home or their work, or in a school or a nursing home.
That is the great thing about being a Member of Parliament.
As a Member of just over a year, I think there is much I can take out of those words.
I had the privilege of meeting Mr Hodgman a few years ago, and I know a number of other younger Liberal Party members met him recently at a conference in Hobart. He certainly leaves a positive impact on those whom he comes into contact with. In fact, some were so inspired by meeting him that they established an online group “The Hon. Michael Hodgman QC MP Appreciation Society” - a group whose membership rocketed in numbers!
He is a legend of Australian politics.
Mr Hodgman is a passionate Tasmanian, Australian and constitutional monarchist.
I will close by quoting a couple of phrases for which he is famous: “ever onwards, ever upwards” and “God save the Queen.”
