Page 1563 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 12 August 1992
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DEATH OF MR JOHN ENFIELD, AO
MS FOLLETT (Chief Minister and Treasurer): I move:
That the Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr John Enfield, AO, who made a significant contribution to self-government for the Australian Capital Territory, and tenders its profound sympathy to his widow and family in their bereavement.
I was saddened to learn of the death yesterday of Mr John Enfield, and I extend my sincere condolences to his wife, Margaret, his sons, Matthew and Nicholas, and his daughter, Samantha. Through his long and outstanding career as a public servant, Mr Enfield served the people of Australia well - service deservedly recognised by his appointment as an officer in the Order of Australia in 1991.
Madam Speaker, there are many events in John Enfield's life which I could refer to, but at this time I will mention just a few of his achievements in a career which spanned nearly three decades in the public service. Mr Enfield's work for the people of the Cocos Islands in 1984, when the Cocos Islands act of self-determination was debated in the General Assembly of the United Nations, is one of those achievements. His outstanding work as Public Service Commissioner responsible for the policy aspects of recruitment, promotion, mobility, discipline and retirement during the period 1987 to 1990 was a second major achievement.
Mr Enfield's contribution to the ACT as Secretary to the Department of Territories from 1983 to 1987 was also significant. His service to the ACT continued after self-government, when he provided excellent advice to the new Government on a number of matters. His last achievement, which it is now timely to note, was his fortitude when faced with a diagnosis of incurable cancer shortly after he took up his appointment as chief executive of the Institution of Engineers following his retirement from the public service in 1991. Madam Speaker, John Enfield stood up to that challenge as he did to all of the others. He faced it honestly and squarely while continuing to do what he did for so long and so well - serving the people of Australia.
In conveying my personal sympathy to his wife and family, Madam Speaker, I also speak on behalf of the ACT Government and the Canberra community.
MR KAINE (Leader of the Opposition): It is with regret that I support the Chief Minister in this motion of condolence. I have known Mr John Enfield for a long time. During all of those years he was a man who committed himself, through his public service, to the good of the country and, of course, more recently to the good of the people of the ACT. He brought a great commitment to everything that he did. He was a highly professional public servant. He served the government of the day, irrespective of its political flavour. I believe that now that his life has ended it can be said that his life was a great success, and I am sure that he would have felt that.
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