Condolence

Hall, Mr Raymond Steele

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:02): By leave, I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr Steele Hall, former member of the House of Assembly and the 36^th Premier of South Australia, and places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious service, and that as a mark of respect to his memory the sitting of the house be suspended until the ringing of the bells.

The passing of Steele Hall marks the end of an era in our state's politics. His impact on our state, and our nation, was both significant and positive, fuelled by his fierce adherence to principle and to the cause of liberal democracy. It is one thing to do the right thing when it is expedient; it is another to do it when it comes at a cost, and Steele Hall was a leader unafraid of doing the right thing regardless of the cost.

He entered parliament in 1959 representing the seat of Gouger, which covered his childhood home of Balaklava, and became Leader of the Opposition in 1966 after the resignation of none other than Thomas Playford from parliament. Steele Hall was left with the invidious task of redefining what the Liberal and Country League stood for in South Australia after decades of rule under Tom Playford, yet successfully brought the Liberal and Country League back into power after only two years in opposition, defeating Labor under leader Don Dunstan at the 1968 election.

The Hall government quickly began the process of reforming our state in areas such as abortion access and Aboriginal affairs, and oversaw the establishment of our state's very important natural gas industry. But what truly marked Hall out as a leader—a leader—was his steadfast service to what he recognised as the best interests of South Australia, even where it directly impacted on the success of his own government.

To Steele Hall's eternal and enduring credit, he took on the task of fundamental electoral and democratic reform in South Australia, modifying the gerrymander electoral boundaries that had been so beneficial to the Playford government and to the Liberal and Country League. This was no small consideration, especially since he did so in the knowledge that his actions in levelling the playing field—however fair it was, however necessary it was—would make the next political contest harder for him to win.

That contest came earlier than expected, also because Hall chose to do what was right rather than what was politically pragmatic. Steele Hall could have backed the planned construction of a dam on the Murray River at Chowilla, especially since his minority government rested on the support of the Independent in whose electorate the dam would have been built: Tom Stott, the member for Albert. But Steele Hall insisted that the economics and the environmental science behind the dam simply did not stand up, so Stott switched his support to Dunstan and in doing so sent the state to an election that returned Labor to government and began the Dunstan decade.

Steele Hall remained in parliament as Leader of the Opposition before resigning to create a more progressive political body, one closely aligned with the small-l liberal values and ideals he feared the LCL had abandoned. The Liberal Movement only lasted a few short years, but its members bravely supported the Dunstan government introducing full adult suffrage and proportional representation to the Legislative Council, another critical democratic improvement for our state.

Steele Hall left state politics to embark upon a well-deserved federal career, and was elected as the Liberal Movement senator for South Australia at the 1974 double dissolution election. Hall resigned from the Senate the following year to make an unsuccessful tilt at the federal seat of Hawker. After four years on the farm, Steele Hall then returned to Canberra as the Liberal member for Boothby, and the time away from parliamentary politics had by no means dulled his commitment to his principles.

Steele Hall was outspoken in his criticism of any actions that he considered repugnant, even from his own leaders, penning an open letter to Malcolm Fraser expressing his disgust with the 'shabby behaviour' of blocking supply to the Whitlam government, and crossing the floor to vote with Labor to oppose John Howard's proposed use of race as a determinant in immigration policy. That courage was rewarded by his being left on the backbench for almost the entirety of his federal career, save for a brief period as shadow special minister of state under the Hon. Andrew Peacock, until his retirement in 1996.

Steele Hall also holds a unique record—a very unique record—as the only Australian to have served in three legislatures: the South Australian House of Assembly, of course, as the member for Gouger between 1959 and 1973 and Goyder between 1973 and 1974, the federal Senate between 1974 and 1977, until he realised he had to go back to where he belonged and that was the house of the people as the member for Boothby in the federal House of Representatives between 1981 and 1996.

Steele Hall will be remembered for his life of public service, political courage and personal integrity. We offer our condolences to his beautiful wife, Joan, who, of course, has also served in this chamber as the member for Coles and, later, Morialta. We also offer our condolences to Steele Hall's six children and grandchildren, and to all whose lives were made better by his dedication to the people of this state.

I am very grateful that Joan Hall has accepted the opportunity to have a state memorial service in Steele Hall's name and I very much look forward to that being a celebration, not just of Steele Hall's life and his substantial contribution to the people of South Australia, but also to the virtues of principled leadership, consistent with one's convictions.

The Hon. D.J. SPEIRS (Black—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): On behalf of the opposition, it gives me great pleasure but also some sorrow to be able to make a contribution today in this place recognising the Premier's condolence motion on the life of Raymond Steele Hall.

Raymond Steele Hall, better known as Steele, was a giant of politics and public life in South Australia and in our nation. In a rare feat, Mr Hall served South Australians as a state parliamentarian for the seats of Gouger and Goyder, a South Australian Premier, a federal Senator and a federal lower house member of parliament for the seat of Boothby. Born in Balaklava in 1928, he attended primary school in Owen and graduated from Balaklava High School.

After leaving school, Mr Hall worked on the family wheat and sheep farm in Owen, during which time he was active with his then wife in the Gouger Young Liberals. He was first elected to state parliament in 1959 as the Liberal and Country League member for Gouger, based around his home community of Balaklava. I have heard many stories about the passion, excitement and meaning that he got from representing his community of birth, and perhaps more so than from any of the other offices that he had the privilege to hold.

Mr Hall was 30 when he entered parliament and quickly proved himself to be a person of significant character, intellect and public speech, rising through the ranks within the Liberal and Country League, becoming Government Whip from 1965, which he used as a later stepping stone to the leadership in July 1966 when Sir Thomas Playford resigned the leadership. He served as opposition leader for two years. Interestingly, when he ran for the leadership, one of his potential opponents was a gentleman called Bill Nankivell. Bill was five years older than Steele, and died a few days after Steele—just a couple of weeks ago—at the age of 100. We will have more to say about Bill's life and contribution in a condolence motion in due course.

During Mr Hall's time serving this place as opposition leader, he came up against two leaders of the Labor Party when they were in government: firstly, Premier Walsh for 10 months, and then Premier Don Dunstan for 10 months. When Don Dunstan assumed the leadership, and they were moving towards the forthcoming state election, the media referred to the battle as the 'Battle of the Matinee Idols'.

One of the first items on Mr Hall's agenda when he became Premier somewhat unexpectedly, despite the gerrymander being in place, was the issue of electoral reform. And as the Premier has foreshadowed, this saw a leader put state, and what was right—the principle of the matter—before his own political advantage, and certainly the political advantage of the party that he led. I think there is no doubt that that led to significant challenge, significant pain for Premier Hall while he was Premier and also in his role as leader of the party for an enduring period of time. His legacy is now cemented in principle and that in itself I am sure surpasses any feeling of ill that sat within his party. The acceptance of that leadership based on principle by the wider community sets this man out as one of the great leaders of our state.

Over a 32-year period the House of Assembly had 39 members, 13 from metropolitan Adelaide and 26 from regional communities. By the 1960s Adelaide accounted for two thirds of our state's population, so a vote in country South Australia was effectively worth double a vote in metropolitan Adelaide. This was an extreme gerrymander and became known as the Playmander because it, in effect, held Sir Thomas Playford in office for longer than the community expected, or the will of democracy anticipated.

Mr Hall undertook the electoral reform required despite knowing it would considerably benefit his political opponents. The electoral reform bill expanded the House of Assembly to the 47 members that we have today, including 28 in metropolitan Adelaide. The changes effectively secured Don Dunstan's victory at the forthcoming 1970 election, but Steele Hall was a conviction politician who deeply believed in creating a fairer foundation for democracy in this state.

While electoral reform might be the thing we talk about most when we talk about the legacy of Steele Hall, his premiership and his leadership of the Liberal Party was far greater than that and it should not be ignored that his time in the leadership not only modernised the Liberal Party but also led to significant reforms and outcomes for the state of South Australia.

His term in office saw significant progress in other areas, including women's health, Aboriginal affairs, the gas industry and the fluoridation of South Australia's water supply, a major controversial at the time but which has, of course, led to significant dental health improvements for generations of South Australians. And, again, in the face of significant public opposition—and also I understand some opposition from within his own party—the principle of doing the right thing drove Steele Hall to make sure it was acted upon.

Notably, and I know that other members will refer to this later today, as Premier it was Steele Hall who determined the site for Adelaide's Festival Centre and negotiated financial support from the commonwealth that enabled its construction to begin. The Premier mentioned that principle was again at the fore when Steele Hall rejected the location of Chowilla for a dam in the Murray-Darling Basin, preferring Dartmouth, and jeopardising and, in the end, concluding his time as Premier of South Australia, for making that principled, evidence-based, scientifically-sensible decision that would have the least environmental impact on the Murray-Darling Basin and would be the most sustainable storage option for water from that basin. It was the right decision from a principled point of view, it was the right decision from a scientific point of view, but it was the wrong decision for the politics of the Liberal Party in South Australia. He made the right decision once again and he should be remembered for that principle.

After losing the 1970 state election Mr Hall founded the Liberal Movement; again based on principle and again based on wanting to drive forward the modernisation and the relevance of the party and the political movement that he sought to lead. To form the movement he resigned from the Liberal and Country League and when the Liberal Movement split from the LCL in 1973 he continued as a state parliamentarian until he resigned his seat in 1974 to be the Liberal Movement's lead and successful senate candidate at the 1974 Australian federal election.

After the Liberal Movement disbanded in 1976—with many believing, including Steele, that its work and aims had been achieved—he rejoined the Liberal Party, as it was now called in South Australia. He resigned from the Senate in 1977 to contest a lower house federal seat, as the Premier said, finally realising that he wanted to be part of the house of the people once again. He participated in that election as a candidate in the seat of Hawker, which he narrowly lost, before another attempt at entering federal parliament, this time for the seat of Boothby in the 1981 federal by-election triggered by the resignation of John McLeay. Steele Hall continued as the member for Boothby until his retirement in 1996.

Over a career spanning more than 30 years, Steele Hall showed time and time again that he was a man of principle and boundless courage. This was best highlighted by his time as Premier of South Australia, but it was again highlighted when he joined the Liberal Movement and again highlighted in his willingness to challenge the leadership of his party in the federal arena. Time and time again, Steele Hall showed that he was a man of principle and a man of courage, a man who would put his beliefs and his advocacy for the community that he represented ahead of his own ambition.

Too often we forget that there is humanity behind the roles that we occupy in this place. I have no doubt that the humanity behind Steele Hall was his family, his love for his community and his love for his family. Joan, a member of our party, a former member of this place and a minister serving our state, our thoughts are with you, your children, your grandchildren, your extended family and your friends.

Raymond Steele Hall, Steele Hall, former Premier of South Australia, former member of the House of Assembly, former member of the Australian Senate, former member of the House of Representatives, but first and foremost husband, father and grandfather. Vale Steele Hall.

The Hon. A. KOUTSANTONIS (West Torrens—Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Energy and Mining) (14:21): Before I begin, can I please pass on my family's condolences to Joan. Joan and I served together in this parliament. She would often nick one of my cigarettes at the front entrance here, where she and I would discuss the latest ongoings in parliament. We used to have a great time together and she is someone I hold in high regard. She has done a magnificent job, with her family, in the care of her husband. You are a saint, Joan, for what you have been through.

Raymond Steele Hall served in a number of seats, namely Goyder, Gouger and Boothby, and the Australian Senate. I rise today to add my voice to acknowledge his service to South Australia and his important and ongoing legacy to the state. He was, as the Premier said, a man of conviction. He will be remembered for many achievements, not only as a person to have served as Premier—and it is important that we remember that role—and, of course, as a senator and as a member of the House of Representatives, but, as the Premier and the Leader have both said, he will be remembered for his courage in being prepared to make reforms that he knew would ultimately cost him government.

It is fair to say that, as I heard the member talking about the malapportionment of seats, I could see the tears in the eyes of a few country members on the backbench, but everyone knew that this system was going to change and had to change. There was no way that the Labor Party could have made this reform on our own. It would have been impossible for us to do. When Frank Walsh defeated Sir Thomas Playford he did so, I think, by one seat. Sir Thomas Playford famously said in 1947, despite him very rarely talking about the Playmander, that he had a fundamental objection to any system under which, and I quote, 'an area within a radius of nine miles from the GPO could possibly return more members than the rest of the state'.

Of course, it was self-evident for anyone that that system had to change. There needed to be an electoral system based on one vote, one value. As I said, we would not have been able to change this system of government. Why? Because even if we had won a majority in this house, it would have been impossible for us to have changed it in the other where there was voluntary voting and, of course, the entrenched bias of property franchise and voluntary voting. It took the courage of a leader who knew that he had to modernise his party and modernise his state. For that, he deserves our eternal credit.

He led the party from 1968 to the state election and even though he was successful in winning an election on this basis, he was prepared to make those changes. He was sworn in as Premier, took the portfolios and then set about changing the system that had put him in place. That takes courage, rare courage. I have to say, I still stand in awe of it because it was a remarkable reform. When he introduced the legislation, he knew what he was doing, he knew what would occur and the Dunstan decade began.

I do not have the eloquence to add to what the leader and the Premier have said in memorialising Steele Hall, but I am the son of migrants. What made me most proud of what he did was what he did in the Australian House of Representatives. He spoke out against a political party that was flirting with race elements of Australian politics. In August 1988, Steele Hall, along with Ian McPhee and Phillip Ruddock, dissented with their colleagues, in the finest tradition of the Liberal Party, maintaining their independence—I enjoy seeing that quite often. They crossed the floor to support a Labor government motion against the use of a racial criteria for selecting immigrants. During that debate on this motion, Steele Hall noted, and I quote:

I now take the opportunity to place on record the reasons why I voted today for the Government motion on migration. We were asked to approve the proposition that, as to the reasons used for determining immigration intake, 'race or ethnic origin shall never, explicitly or implicitly, be among them'. To vote against it is clearly to invite the imputation that one may at some time in the future use race or ethnic origin as a selection criterion. The problem about following that course is the perception held by the public of what politicians are talking about…

The simple fact is that public opinion is easily led on racial issues and no amount of 'inertial guidance' can control the racial missile once it is off the launching pad.

It is now time to unite the community on the race issue before it flares into an ugly reproach for us all.

House of Representatives, 25 August 1988.

I submit that the two contributions this man has made to public life: of one vote, one value and that speech in the House of Representatives deserves more recognition than almost everyone else who has their portraits in this chamber.

This man was a great man. This was a man who believed in principle. This was a man who was prepared to lose on principle, govern in principle and vote on principle. He is an example to us all. It was right that the Marshall government commissioned his portrait. It is right that his portrait stands outside in the corridor to remind us all each and every day the value of public service. This man exemplified it. God rest him. God comfort those who loved him. I hope, in the eternal Orthodox prayer that we say at every funeral service: may his memory be eternal.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:29): It is with sadness that I rise to support the motion. The example of Steele Hall is to us all an opportunity to reflect on the principles he espoused, the philosophies he believed in and the legacy that he created, the example of which should inspire us all and encourage us all in the work we do and all those who are in public office and public life.

Steele Hall's political career lasted from 1959 to 1996, with gaps at certain points. His engagement in the Liberal Party continued for most of the rest of his life thereafter. His support for Joan was something I became very familiar with because I met Steele Hall for the first time in the room that now forms my office in what was then Joan's reception area, when I did some volunteer work and support for her.

Steele was a support to Joan throughout that period. Steele was a generous sage, somebody who was kind and generous with his time to a 17 or 18-year-old boy who was given the opportunity to learn something from him. I wish I had spent more time talking to him, but as a 17, 18 or 19-year-old young person, you do not always appreciate those opportunities when they are given.

Joan, to you, to Ben and Alexia, to all of Steele's family, I offer my most sincere and deep condolences. I know what an extraordinary life Steele led and the extraordinary love that he had for his family.

Steele was a giant for South Australian and Australian politics, and I agree with everything that has been said by the Premier, the Leader of the Opposition and the member for West Torrens. He was significant in the roles that he held and the way in which he used those roles as an avenue for service for his community, for our state and for our nation. Throughout his career, he expressed principle, purpose and achievement. Many examples of that have been given today; I will reflect on just a couple, and one at some length.

His legacy in the location of the Adelaide Festival Centre I think is really important in understanding the city that we are today. For 50 years, the Adelaide Festival Centre has played a central role in the cultural life of South Australia. I think that as we look out on it from the Balcony Room of this building, it is inconceivable that it would be anywhere else, that it would look like anything else than it does now. Certainly, I think the public art that was between this building and the Festival Centre may have been controversial and open to change, but I think we all appreciate, and I think all South Australians appreciate, the creation of the Festival Centre where it is.

In the foyer of the Festival Centre is a copy of the extraordinary Robert Hannaford portrait that the member for West Torrens talked about. I think the original stands outside this room. It is an encouragement and inspiration to all members of parliament and those visiting who are able to walk past it to reflect on what Steele stood for and what he achieved, that we may all follow in his thoughts. A copy of that is in the foyer of the Adelaide Festival Centre. If you go there now, you can see some flowers in tribute, and the following plaque is left:

Adelaide Festival Centre pays tribute to Steele Hall

Adelaide Festival Centre Trust Board and staff acknowledge the passing of former Premier, Steele Hall who holds significant legacy with the development of Adelaide Festival Centre fifty years ago.

Between Dunstan governments, Steele Hall was Premier for one term. During that time, he kept the concept of a multi-complex arts centre alive, moved the location to the riverbank and negotiated financial support from the Commonwealth Government. These decisions were fundamental to the Adelaide Festival Centre's success today.

We remember him with gratitude and respect and send condolences to his family and friends.

It is worth taking a moment on an occasion like this to reflect that it was not always going to be where it is. It was not always going to take the form that it now does. Don Dunstan had an important role in the development of the Adelaide Festival Centre, in particular the surrounding facilities. It is why we have the Dunstan Playhouse, for example. I have often wondered why Steele Hall is not more remembered in terms of the legacy and naming of the Adelaide Festival Centre complex.

I took the opportunity in recent days to look over some Hansard. At the back of this room, I am sure that many of the people in the gallery would remember well there are hundreds of tomes, historically useful tomes, of Hansard. It is also searchable now by computer, thankfully. For decades those tomes have been there, and they remain much as they would have been left in the memories of those who are visiting today. Hansard reflects the debates of times past. One looks at question time of the late sixties and discovers that the questions took more time of the hour than the answers did. It is an interesting read; I encourage anyone to take the rabbit hole that I took.

I found through August, September and October 1968 the original debates about the Adelaide Festival Centre and they bear some reflection. Don Dunstan, after the 1968 election loss, had had some interest obviously in the establishment of a festival hall or some sort of performing arts facility. Originally, Carclew had been identified as a possible site. Some people were talking about Hindmarsh Square as a possible site. Ultimately, Don Dunstan moved a motion in the House of Assembly in August 1968, and those who want to have a look can go to 7 August. He said:

We examined whether an area of land at the rear of Government House and running down to the parade ground could be excavated and re-aligned…We could get the five acres: that could be done by taking a small portion of Government House grounds north of the chauffeur's cottage—

I think this is the area that is now a car park at the back of Government House for the overflow car parking—

and then taking a line down through the Government House wall to the parade ground.

He said:

The topography of the site lends itself admirably to theatre architecture….It is close to tertiary institutions and could be integrated with training programmes in the performing arts in those centres.

He said:

…less than two acres of Government House grounds, and the total site would be about five acres.

This motion was adjourned. In those days one would hear a speech, at great length. There were no time limits. It goes on for some pages. It is worth the read. Then Steele Hall responded on 21 August, a couple of weeks later in opposition to the motion:

Government House is a good site, and so is the Torrens Parade Ground. However, to put a festival hall in between them would ruin both sites. There would not be two choice venues: there would be three crowded sites and, in addition, we should use three acres of park lands by the Leader's own explanation.

He went on to say:

If most people were to examine the broad outlines of the area now and place the hall in the position where the Leader has verbally placed it—

this is Mr Dunstan—

by moving this motion, they would find it would virtually ruin three sites instead of preserving the values of two.

He said:

We do not want this area to be developed as a subdivision.

He went on:

When in London, I took the opportunity…of looking at a series of halls in London, and one thing that impressed me was the waterfront view from the main festival hall. I came back to South Australia intending, if possible, to promote the idea of a waterfront site. I believe there is such a site…This is the site now occupied by the Railways Institute and the immigration hostel.

Later on he described the attractions of the site as:

…a waterfront view, easy access to transport, park land surroundings and plenty of space for car parking. I believe it presents the best site available to serve all purposes in Adelaide.

And so it was shown. That was not the view taken by all. Lloyd Hughes, Labor member for Wallaroo, said on 3 September:

…only one site is acceptable to the people of South Australia. If it is not possible to use the site where Government House now stands and to build another Governor's residence elsewhere, let us use the site at the rear of Government House where ample room exists for a performing arts centre.

Arguing for Government House, Don Dunstan asked a question of Steele Hall:

Will the Premier say whether, before he came to this conclusion, measurements were taken from the edge of any possible performing arts centre to the nearest building on the two sites concerned in order to compare the likely cramping on the two sites?

I am not sure that Speaker Cregan would have allowed such a formulation. Further:

…what scenic view from what position would be interfered with by the performing arts centre if it were placed behind Government House?

Steele Hall responded. I am summarising a little bit but the direct quote is:

…the Elder Park site for its own worth was better than the site behind Government House. This is the Government's opinion. I am sorry if the Leader does not agree with it.

Dunstan, in the following debate, highlighted that the Swimming Association of South Australia was very concerned. If the baths were demolished, then the three clubs would have nowhere to go. He said:

We are providing a performing arts centre not for people to look at a view of the water but for the performing arts activity, and that is what takes place inside the building.

I imagine that in October, when Steele Hall was able to return with a copy of a report by the committee appointed, saying that 'in the unanimous opinion of the committee members, the Elder Park site is well suited to the erection of a festival hall', and so it was. Ultimately, in the subsequent years, I am sure that Don Dunstan himself would have come to agree that it was not a bad idea.

Steele Hall's memory and his tremendously important contribution to the arts in South Australia, and the Festival Centre history in particular, was remembered by Steven Marshall, who was very happy to host, he tells me, a lunch on the stage of the Adelaide Festival Centre, with many people associated with the original design and construction, on its 50^th anniversary just some years ago. Steven Marshall described Steele Hall as a role model and a mentor.

Through his support for Joan in the Morialta electorate, which I now have the privilege to serve, many people in our local area still remember Steele fondly from their engagements with him through Joan's service. I will not reflect on all of them, but I will highlight one community leader who would be known to almost all present, Domenico Zollo, as an example. Domenico wrote, 'Gone but not forgotten. To Joan and family, our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace. From the Holy Mary of Montevergine Association.'

Liberal Party members, the Young Liberal Movement, of which he was a member and ultimately a life member, many of them have expressed their sadness and their condolences to Joan and family in the days since his passing. I highlight one more reflection from Sue Lawrie, well known to many members on both sides. Sue described Steele as a trailblazer of the sixties and seventies, a dear friend to Sue's mother, Jean. 'Condolences to Joan, Ben, Alexia and family.'

I know Joan and I have known Alexia and Ben for a great majority of my life. I extend my condolences. I did not know the other members of Steele's family, but I extend my condolences to them too. Vale Steele Hall.