Allison, Hon. H.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (15:09): By leave, I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of the Hon. Harold Allison, former member of the House of Assembly, and places on record its appreciation of his 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.

I rise to pay tribute to the Hon. Harold Allison, former member for the seats of Mount Gambier and Gordon, who passed away on 28 June at the age of 94.

Every MP takes office with a duty to act in the interests of their constituents, to be familiar with the unique and changing needs of the community and be ready to muck in and fight for the best possible outcomes for the community's local interests. That was exactly what the people of the South-East got with the election of Harold Allison MP in the seat of Mount Gambier.

Born in Sheffield, Harold arrived in South Australia at the age of 25, having already served in the Royal Navy and working in the steel industry. He settled in Mount Gambier where he explored multiple new avenues: working as an accountant, a hotelier and a real estate broker before finally moving into his first true calling as an educator. For 15 years he served as a librarian and then teacher at Mount Gambier High School, becoming a valuable and beloved figure both inside and outside the school community.

His determination to see Mount Gambier thrive drove him to enter politics where his popularity within the local community manifested in a 15½ per cent swing at the 1975 election, a win that turned Mount Gambier into one of the safest Liberal seats in the state. His star rose sharply from there. He went on to serve in the Tonkin Liberal government as Minister for Education and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, and also held roles as Deputy Speaker of the house and Chair of Committees.

Throughout his time in the house, he was forever a fervent champion of the South-East and a tireless advocate for local issues. These ranged from his quest to reinstate Mount Gambier's passenger rail to victories in securing reliable water supplies for the region. Win or lose, Harold's campaigns were always conducted with his characteristic unflagging optimism.

His greatest political legacy, however, was arguably the pivotal role he played in the return of a vast parcel land to the Pitjantjatjara people, the area we know today as the APY lands. Negotiations with traditional owners had begun with the then Dunstan Labor government in the mid-1970s and could so easily have stalled after Labor's electoral wipeout in 1979. However, the fearless advocacy and leadership of Harold Allison as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs ensured that the Tonkin government continued with the process with legislation to transport land rights to the Pitjantjatjara passing with government and opposition support in 1981. His time in the chamber ended with his retirement in 1997.

It is a testament to the enduring strength of Harold's personal reputation that the fondness within his community has clearly not diminished in the years since, particularly given the sheer volume of tributes that have followed the news of his passing. The outpouring of fond memories from former students and constituents on radio, in print and on social media speaks volumes about the legacy Harold left in the South-East and the love that he inspired in his community.

He leaves behind his children Fiona and Tim, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. We offer our condolences to his family, friends and loved ones. I commend this motion to the house.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (15:13): I also rise to support the condolence motion recognising the Hon. Harold Allison. Harold Allison was born in Sheffield, England, on 10 July 1930. From 1948 to 1950 he served in the Yorkshire Royal Navy before working as an export representative with W.M. Jessup and Sons, a steel manufacturer.

Harold, like so many incredible people in our Australian story, made the great decision to migrate to Australia in 1955, arriving in Adelaide on the SS Orontes on 25 March. He settled in Mount Gambier, working as an accountant and licenced real estate agent before joining the education department in 1959 as a temporary junior assistant teacher. He went on to spend 15 years in education, including as a teacher and librarian at Mount Gambier High School, aside from a three-year period as a hotel owner, and this would serve him well in his political future.

In 1975, Harold stood for election, winning the seat of Mount Gambier, which had previously been considered a safe Labor electorate. He represented Mount Gambier until 1993 and then the seat of Gordon from 1993 until his retirement in 1997. In the Tonkin government, Harold served as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Minister for Education from 1979 to 1982, continuing as Minister for Education until November 1982. Later, from 1993 to 1997, he served as Deputy Speaker and Chairman of Committees.

Harold was well suited for the education portfolio, drawing on his time as a teacher and librarian. However, one of Harold's most significant contributions came in 1981, not in the education portfolio but in his capacity as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, when he was instrumental in convincing the Liberal government to transfer more than 103,000 square kilometres of land, an area larger than Tasmania, to the Pitjantjatjara people under the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act. As then Premier David Tonkin acknowledged, the act was described as 'very much one of the most significant pieces of legislation which has come before this parliament in its entire history'. In 2001, the ongoing significance of the act was recognised in a major centenary federation project, charting the development of Australian democracy through key documents.

Beyond his legislative accomplishments, Harold was known throughout his life for his calm and steady manner. As a teacher and librarian, he left an impression on generations of students at Mount Gambier High School. He was remembered as both quiet and effective. In politics, he brought that same character. He earned respect across the chamber as a thoughtful but diligent parliamentarian. He was also passionate in his advocacy for the regions. He argued strongly for the future of country rail services and for securing reliable water supplies for South Australians in the South-East.

Harold Allison passed away peacefully at his home in Urrbrae on 28 June this year, aged 94, and is survived by his children Fiona and Timothy as well as grandchildren and a great-grandchild. On behalf of the opposition, I extend our sincere condolences to his family. Harold's service to South Australia, his advocacy for regional communities and his role in advancing land rights will long be remembered. May he rest in peace.

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (15:17): I rise to pay tribute to a man whose life and service left an enduring mark on Mount Gambier and, in fact, the Limestone Coast and this parliament. Harold Allison, who recently passed away at the age of 94, served Mount Gambier for 22 years until his retirement in 1997. Harold was first and foremost a servant of the people, a Mount Gambier-first man, as many have said. Until the age of 24, he was the only politician that I had really known. I remember him coming to primary school, when I was there. When I was in high school, he would come and do visits and, of course, like we do now, brought a group of us up here to go through parliament. It is very long legacy.

At the time, I spoke to him and said, 'What made you put your hand up for the Liberal Party?' He said, 'Well, nobody else did.' It was a Labor stronghold. Mount Gambier had plenty of timber mills, with a strong union backing. Quite honestly, nobody thought he would win. It is a credit to him for putting his hand up and giving people a choice. Since his time, Labor have not held the seat. Before entering politics, as has been mentioned, Harold was a teacher, senior librarian and mentor at Mount Gambier High School.

Thousands of students remember him as a teacher who made geography, English, maths and even algebra come alive. Some credit him with inspiring their own teaching careers. Others recall his French lessons, his love for theatre, his role in school pantomimes and his deep knowledge of local geology, warning decades ago about the risks of over-draining in the South-East, a challenge our community is grappling with right now.

Former Mount Gambier High School chairperson Maureen Klintberg, who worked closely with Harold in the mid 1990s, described him as a man for the people, a man who engaged with all ages and all walks of life. His memory for faces and names was legendary. It seemed he knew everybody and he never forgot their cause. Harold was passionate about education and deeply valued the views of parents. He encouraged and supported their involvement and he advocated tirelessly whenever issues arose that affected the education of our young people.

The stories shared since his passing speak volumes and I echo the words of the Premier. You can go on the Facebook page and have a look at all the comments there. There are former students recalling lunch hours in the library, school play rehearsals and Harold's calm encouragement. Locals remember him for turning up at sporting clubs, leading hockey teams, even crossing the floor in parliament when Mount Gambier's interests needed to come first. One resident told of how Harold personally followed through with their issue until it was resolved, turning a lifelong Labor voter into one of his staunchest supporters.

There are also lighter moments and memories too. He had a famous saying: 'a cup of tea and a bun', which he prescribed for any problem that anybody was facing. There were campaign T-shirts calling to turn the lights on and the way he never seemed to age in the eyes of those who knew him. What stands out most is the respect my community has for him. He won the votes and hearts of many Labor voters. Others simply called him a true gentleman.

About 10 years ago I personally took Harold his 85^th birthday card. We sat down for a cup of tea at the car wash near Cross Road. His son owned the car wash and he was sweeping the floor when I arrived. He gave me lots of advice over the years, but two things always stood out in my mind. One was: 'Look after the people of Mount Gambier and they will look after you.' The second was: 'Don't be a tight-arse. Make sure you buy some jugs of beer for the winning sports team when they do their Mad Monday tour of the pubs.'

Harold Allison leaves behind his children Fiona and Tim, his grandchildren, a great-grandchild and an entire community that benefited from his integrity, hard work and humility. On behalf of the people of Mount Gambier, and this parliament, I extend our deepest condolences to his family and our gratitude for his decades of service. May we all strive to serve with the same decency, dedication and care for others that Harold embodied every day of his life.

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:22): I rise briefly to give my reflection on a long life well lived by the former and long-time member for Mount Gambier and for Gordon. I think the member for Mount Gambier has put it beautifully, particularly the observation about having hand-delivered his 85^th birthday card at the car wash. That is exactly my memory in recent times since Harold had moved to Urrbrae in Adelaide in this last decade or so: a glint in the eye, a very practical down-to-earth Mount Gambier first, local member first, and that is a tremendous legacy for any of us, and that was Harold all the way through.

I want to particularly reflect on a moment in history. He was not only Minister for Education through David Tonkin's government, but, of course, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The significant moment of the legislation in 1981 was the then Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act, which had come after a lot of work done by the Dunstan government in the last couple of years, in particular, and was then carried on and delivered, after a lot of work and negotiation led by Premier Tonkin, with Harold Allison by his side as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Harold Allison is there in the photos.

There was actually a slideshow display on at Umuwa last March—it was about three years late due to COVID and other reasons. There was a 40-year celebration of that legislation at Umuwa and there was a slideshow running and there in amongst those 1981 photos—filled with great happiness—is Harold Allison in his bright red open-neck shirt in the crowd with so many happy people gathered there. That is a memory that will stay with me.

It is a fitting legacy. Harold was not shy about engaging in the public debate about the time since 1981 and the establishment of the pit lands and ongoing now as that legislation has developed. Certainly, it was not a moment that for all time solved those very longstanding issues in relation to those who live on and own those lands; far from it, the work continues, but a key moment in history for the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in 1981. It was made possible by his dedication to his community as the long-time member for Mount Gambier. Vale Harold. May he rest in peace.

The Hon. D.G. PISONI (Unley) (15:25): The Hon. Harold Allison was a man of great conviction, community spirit and service to both his adopted home of South Australia and the people he represented for so many years. Born in Sheffield, England, on 10 July 1930, Harold's early life already reflected a commitment to service. He joined the Yorkshire Royal Navy between 1948 and 1950 and afterwards worked as an export representative for WM Jessop and Sons, a proud Sheffield steel manufacturer.

In 1955, Harold made the bold decision to migrate to Australia. He arrived in Adelaide by ship. Like so many, he came to this country with little more than a suitcase, determination and energy. He threw himself into work and into building a life and, in this instance, it was in the South-East of the state. For a time he was an accountant and a licensed real estate agent in Mount Gambier, but in 1959 he answered a different calling, education. I was interested to learn that after 15 years of being a teacher at Mount Gambier High School he bought a pub. What does that say about his experience in that role?

Those who knew him in education saw firsthand his dedication to young people, to giving them not only knowledge but also grounding to become good citizens. In 1975, Harold took another step of service, and this time it was through politics. He stood for the seat of Mount Gambier, which had long been a safe Labor seat, and he won that seat with a large margin. From then until his retirement in 1997, Harold was a popular and respected local member. He was a tireless advocate for his community, particularly in the areas of regional rail services and water supply.

His greatest political legacy has been spoken about by speakers prior to me, and that of course was the return of the land to the Pitjantjatjara people. He was a strong advocate for that in the Tonkin government and drove that process. That act of justice and reconciliation remains a landmark moment in our state's history, and Harold's role in it is enduring. Harold was in every respect a parliamentarian of substance, yet beyond the chambers of parliament he was also a man deeply engaged in his community. Even long after his retirement, his interest in politics and public life did not wane.

I recall meeting Harold when he became a member of the Unley branch of the Liberal Party in 2006, following the redistribution that brought parts of the City of Mitcham into my electorate. Despite having left parliament nearly two decades earlier, Harold's passion for politics and his commitment to his community remained as strong as ever. That is who Harold was: never detached, never disengaging, but always present and willing to contribute.

On 28 June this year, just three weeks shy of his 95^th birthday, Harold passed away peacefully in his home in Urrbrae. He leaves behind his children, Fiona and Timothy, who can take great pride in the life their father led and the legacy he leaves. Harold's journey from Sheffield, to the South-East, to the South Australian Parliament tells the story of a person who has dedicated their life to service. He taught, he represented, he advocated and, above all, he cared. His contribution to South Australia, particularly to regional communities, will not be forgotten. Today we remember Harold, we mourn that his loss, we celebrate his life well lived and a legacy that will endure. Vale Harold Allison.

The SPEAKER (15:29): I would like to speak briefly. As a nine year old in 1975 when Harold Allison won that first election, growing up just outside of Mount Gambier I know what a seismic shift that was for people to go from having a Labor representative to a Liberal member of parliament. It was because of the universal love that people had for him, and as a nine year old you picked up on that, hearing stories from family and friends of family. In 1976 it was the centenary of Mount Gambier and he was front and centre in all of those celebrations, so as a young kid you saw him everywhere.

I would not mind hazarding a bet that I am the only person in this place who went to school with a Harold Allison Liberal for Mount Gambier sticker on my school folder. Every 10 or 11 year old wanted a sticker. We had lots of stickers. This was a dinner plate-sized sticker with Harold Allison in black and white, a photo of his face, and what we now call 'Bignell blue' for the Liberal—I think that is when I fell in love with that political colour. We moved to Adelaide a year or so later and it must have amused the teachers that there was a kid in grade 6 with the education minister's picture on his folder.

Vale Harold Allison. You did a great job as a local representative. You stand out as an example for people. It does not matter how people have always voted: if you go out and you offer to be a good representative, people will vote for you.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.

The SPEAKER: The house is suspended until the ringing of the bells.

Sitting suspended from 15:32 to 15:41.