Page 2665 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 26 September 2007
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strength and his drive in delivering the changes that he wanted, as well as his willingness to listen to others, tell us that he was a complete man. He was not afraid to listen and he was not afraid to change his views after sage advice or the changing of the times. I think that perhaps we can all take a little bit from his approach.
What will I remember of Terry Connolly? I will remember that he lived every day based on what he said about himself or about other people—whether it be in formulating legislation in this place or in judgements in his court. I think that is rare. Politicians are often accused of being hypocrites, but one word that could never be associated with Terry Connolly is “hypocrite”. Every day he strove to live by his word.
Let us remember him with a light heart for that wry smile and that quick grin. I did not serve with him as you did, Mr Speaker; I did not have that honour. But whenever I met him or his family anywhere, there was always a smile. He never lost his commitment to his community.
I extend my respects and regards to his family, particularly to you, Helen, and the children. Please know that today we have seen a very rare acknowledgement of a very good man.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Minister for Industrial Relations): Mr Speaker, I join with all my colleagues in the chamber in expressing my deepest sympathy to Helen and to the entire Connolly family. Other members have spoken about just how much of a difference Terry made in this place and in all of his contributions to our community. I would like to highlight a couple of aspects of my involvement with Terry. I had the very great privilege of working for him for an all-too-brief time towards the end of his time in the Assembly.
Others have spoken about his great capacity to mentor younger people. I think it would be fair to say that in the time that I was involved in Young Labor and in this party in my early days, Terry was a significant figure in terms of my development in the Australian Labor Party. I do not believe I would be here today without his support through those early days and through the encouragement that he provided me over such a long time.
Others have spoken at great length about all of his significant achievements. I would like to highlight one particular aspect of legislation he was responsible for as Attorney-General in 1994: the domestic relationships bill. I believe that to be one of the most significant pieces of legislation in terms of starting the ball rolling for full legal equality for gay and lesbian Canberrans and Australians.
The work that this jurisdiction undertook under Terry’s leadership in 1994 paved the way, I believe, for the significant reforms that we have seen in the ensuing years, and he should be duly credited with not only championing those causes back in 1994 but also steering that legislation through the Assembly. Just to look at the Hansard report of that debate shows what a skilful Attorney-General and politician he was to be able to see that legislation through. I think the legacy of that piece of legislation is there for all to see, and all gay and lesbian Canberrans owe Terry Connolly a great deal of gratitude for that pioneering work.
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