LAIDLAW, HON. D.H.

The Hon. R.D. LAWSON (15:28): I wish to speak today about the late Donald Laidlaw. I was unavoidably absent from parliament yesterday when the condolence motion for Mr Laidlaw was debated. I have read the contributions made by members, and they referred in some detail to Mr Laidlaw's life and, in particular, his distinguished service to South Australian industry, to the parliament, to the Liberal Party and to the community generally—and I will not repeat any of that material. However, I do wish to join in the public expression of sympathy to his widow and his daughters, Diana, Susan and Sonia, and to his wider family, including my former colleague the Hon. Michael Armitage.

I wish to make a few brief personal observations about Mr Laidlaw. Some might read the accounts of his distinguished service—his antecedents (his father having once been chairman of the Stock Exchange of Adelaide), his education (somewhat privileged) at Oxford University and other places, and his distinguished career in old established blue chip companies—and, having seen that, jump to the conclusion that Don Laidlaw was a conservative type who owed his various positions to his associations and not to his own abilities.

Nothing could be further from the truth. He was a truly intelligent and talented man, open-minded, progressive, but never trendy. He was quietly spoken, but strong in the expression of his views, which were always well founded. He was not a talkative person, but when he expressed his views they were worth listening to.

He was quite unpretentious and a very astute observer of events and people. Although he was 85 at the time of his death, Don was still active and forward-looking. I first came across him when I joined the legal firm of Fisher Jeffries in Epworth Building in the late 1960s. I was later a partner in that firm.

I worked with Bob Fisher QC, who later became Mr Justice Fisher of the Federal Court. Mr Fisher was a close friend and colleague of Don Laidlaw and had a great regard for his views. It was through Mr Fisher that I frequently heard Don's opinions and comments on various matters, especially commercial and economic issues. I came to admire his judgment and acuity. Mr Laidlaw himself had an office in Epworth Building, and I came to know him reasonably well. In 1970, he proposed that I join the State Council of the Liberal Party. I was honoured to take up that position at the time.

At lunch, shortly before Don Laidlaw's final operation, he said that he was prepared to undergo an operation, notwithstanding all of the risks, because the alternative was to take Ritalin for the rest of his life. He disdainfully described that drug as 'rat poison', and he said that it would adversely affect his enjoyment of life into the future. He wanted to continue to enjoy life. He was prepared to undertake the operation.

Unfortunately, he subsequently succumbed to complications following that operation. It is a great pity, because he still had much to contribute to his family and to the community. He was a tremendous South Australian, one of whom we should all be proud.