Jones, Mr Henry

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:20): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement regarding the passing of Mr Henry Jones.

Leave granted.

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER: On behalf of the government, I express our deep regret and sadness at the death of Mr Jones. Henry Jones was a tireless campaigner for the health and prosperity of the River Murray and this state owes him a great deal. Sadly, Mr Jones passed away on 15 April, aged 72.

Mr Jones was the public face of the Fight for the Murray campaign and also the face of The Advertiser's I Love Murray campaign. His passionate fight to protect the Murray goes back to 1981 I am told and, since then, he ceaselessly urged all sides of politics to take the matter of the Murray seriously and to understand its importance.

Such was his passion that he travelled to Canberra to speak to decision-makers to remind them that South Australia would not rest until a fair deal was made, and he ultimately succeeded. He was pivotal in securing more water for the Murray-Darling system, which will ultimately benefit all South Australians.

As a commercial fisherman for most of his life, Mr Jones knew better than anyone that a healthy Murray was needed for a productive economy, strong communities and the future of our environment.

He fought tirelessly for almost 30 years to reverse decades of overallocation upstream and to save the ailing system. He constantly advocated for more freshwater flows and highlighted the environmental and economic benefits they would bring. He took prime ministers, ministers, premiers, dignitaries, policy makers, landholders and others out onto his beloved river to show them the importance of truly valuing this important and diverse ecosystem.

His hard work and determination was recognised in 2008 when he received the Pride of Australia Medal and a River Murray Medal awarded by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. It was the first time the medal had been given to a community member since it was established in 1853. Though these awards came in his later years, they represent a culmination of a lifetime of advocacy—not only fighting for the Lower Lakes, but also his Clayton Bay community, which he proudly served.

Mr Jones' long list of achievements in his local community, most of which was in a volunteer capacity, are a reminder to us all of the importance and value of serving your community. These achievements include, briefly, being appointed president of the Clayton hall committee; 10 years in local government, including a period as deputy chairman and chairman of works; establishing the CFS in Clayton, as captain for 20 years; coaching of the Milang Football Club; board member and chairman of the peak industry fishing body for South Australia; and member of government-appointed fisheries management committees.

While president of the Southern Fishermen's Association he, along with others, developed the world's first environmental management plan for a whole of fishery in the lakes and Coorong as well as receiving marine stewardship certification for this multispecies fishery. He was a member of the Murray-Darling Basin community reference group, a member of Murray-Darling Basin Native Fish Strategy group, a member of the River Murray advisory board, a member of Dean Brown's drought relief group, a member of Waterkeepers Australia, inaugural spokesperson for the River, Lakes and Coorong Action Group, and a ministerial community-appointed member of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority Basin Community Committee, where he worked on the new basin plan.

Mr Jones cared deeply for his community and the river, but the thing that sets him apart is that he never hesitated to turn his sentiment into meaningful action. He will be deeply missed by his family, of course, but also by his friends and the community, and members from all sides of politics. His passion, commitment, courage, vision and perseverance have been significant in bringing the health of the River Murray and Lower Lakes to where it is today. His life is an encouragement and inspiration to others, and it reminds us all that one person can indeed make a difference.

It is also a reminder to us all here today of the importance of actively listening and considering the views and knowledge of the people whose communities and livelihoods are affected by our ideas, policies and decisions taken in this chamber.

Mr Jones' campaign for the river system was a partnership with his wife, Gloria, and his family, and our thoughts are with them at this very sad time. I, and the rest of South Australia, and I am sure this whole chamber, thank Mr Henry Jones for his legacy to our state.

The PRESIDENT: Those sentiments, I am sure, will be shared by all in this chamber.