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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-02-12 Daily Xml
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Condolence

BROOMHILL, HON. G.R.

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:03): I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of the Hon. Glen Broomhill, a former member of this house, and places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious service, and as a mark of respect to his memory that the sitting of the house be suspended until the ringing of the bells.

Late last year, we were saddened to learn of the death of the Hon. Glen Broomhill. Glen died on Boxing Day, aged 74, after a lengthy illness. Glen Broomhill was a talented and much respected parliamentarian and minister, who served this house and South Australia with distinction from 1965 to 1979. He was regarded by all who knew him, including both sides of politics, as a man of decency and integrity, whose commitment to public life was surpassed only by his devotion to his family. He was seen as a rising star of the Australian Labor Party when he first won the seat of West Torrens in 1965 at the age of 32. He held the distinction of being the first Australian minister to hold the portfolio of conservation—or environment as it has become known. But Glen Broomhill's most enduring achievement was as the architect of South Australia's visionary container deposit legislation. That initiative—one of the first of its kind anywhere in the world—continues to stand as a landmark to environment awareness. In honour of Glen Broomhill's legacy and pioneering contribution to the environment, the state government today announced that it would further increase the incentive for South Australians to recycle by doubling the current deposit on drink containers to 10¢.

I should just say that, at the time, this initiative was absolutely incredibly controversial and bitterly fought by various producers. Of course, Oregon had done it and now, since that time, whilst we are still the first and only Australian state to have container deposit legislation, a whole range of states in the United States, provinces in Canada and also countries in Europe have followed suit, and now there is talk of other states in Australia taking up the initiative. Whilst Glen Broomhill did many things, this is a lasting legacy of which I know he was particularly proud. Of course, he introduced the legislation in 1975, and it was later that the scheme came into force in 1977.

Glen Broomhill was born in Adelaide on 20 January 1933. A child of the depression era, he saw his father, Joseph, supplement his painter's income by selling mallee roots that he collected while on regular trips to the Riverland. Glen was educated at Richmond Primary School and Goodwood Boys' Technical High School, which he left at age 16 to serve an apprenticeship as a dental technician. Glen also played colts football for Glenelg, and his passion for the Tigers remained undiminished until his passing, and certainly his passion for both the Tigers and the Crows was made very clear at his funeral, which a number of members from both sides of parliament attended in January.

It was also during that period that he became actively involved in the trade union movement. In 1956 he was elected as an organiser of the South Australian branch of the federal Miscellaneous Workers Union, and, within two years, at just 25, he became the union's state secretary as well as its federal vice-president. Glen's commitment to the union's membership was highlighted by the fact that he was an advocate and employee representative on nine wages boards through until 1965—that was when he entered state parliament at the election that ended the Playford era and brought to office Frank Walsh's Labor government. At just 32 years of age, Glen's standing within the electorate of West Torrens enabled him to increase the majority of the retiring member, Fred Walsh, also a legend in the Labor Party and brother, I think, of Frank Walsh, and that was despite his standing against the high-profile Liberal Country League candidate PT 'Bo' Morton, the former Sturt and South Australian football champion.

Glen's political development was strongly nurtured and influenced by his uncle, the former senator and Labor Party stalwart Jim Toohey. He could not have wished for a better mentor because Jim Toohey was a colossus of common sense within the South Australian Labor Party and the Labor movement generally, and someone upon whom Don Dunstan relied enormously for support and wise counsel through the time that he was a backbencher, a shadow minister, then as premier, leader of the opposition and premier again, right to the end. Glen also received backing from another influential source, the long-serving federal member for Hindmarsh, Clyde Cameron. Indeed, it was Clyde, bedridden in Canberra with a bout of the mumps in late 1963, who furiously lobbied via long distance telephone calls to help Glen win preselection for West Torrens.

Glen entered the House of Assembly in 1965 as its youngest member and he wasted no time in speaking out on behalf of young Australians. In his maiden speech he voiced his concern that people under the age of 30 were ineligible to take up a seat in the Legislative Council. The year after his election Glen was appointed as government whip, a critically important position in any government but even more so in those holding a tiny majority. It was a position that Glen held in government and opposition until 1970, when Don Dunstan was returned again as Premier and elevated Glen into what is still regarded as one of the most talented ministries this state has seen.

Alongside Don Dunstan, it initially contained such great reformers as Des Corcoran, Len King, Hugh Hudson and Geoff Virgo. Later, it also included Jack Wright, Don Hopgood and John Bannon amongst others. That was a time when the Dunstan government's reforms were the talk of the nation. Don gave South Australia a national voice that far outweighed our size and, in areas of social policy, constitutional and legal reform, he lifted this state from rock bottom to Australian pre-eminence.

Glen was initially appointed minister of labour and industry, which is always an important role in a Labor government. Within six months he added the roles of conservation and minister assisting the premier to his portfolios. The fact that he was given the responsibility as the nation's first minister specifically charged with conservation spoke volumes for the regard in which Glen was held. In his political memoirs, Felicia, Don Dunstan painted a glowing picture of Glen Broomhill as follows:

He was a sensitive, conscientious man who brought balance, good sense and concern to all that he did.

He added:

Jim Toohey's nephew, he exhibited many of his uncle's traits...and his calm and pleasant manner concealed a sharp wit which those who attacked him discovered to their discomfort.

Don recounted an example of Glen's rapier-like wit in those memoirs. He recalled:

Glen grew some sideburns—fashionable amongst young men at the time—and one of the dimmer lights, intellectually, of the LCL questioned him in the chamber about it... Glen rose and said, 'I am unfortunate enough to have large, prominent ears which I feel do not enhance my beauty. I grew additional hair in order to hide an unprepossessing feature...an example I advise the honourable member to follow by growing a moustache and a beard.

I will not mention anybody in recent memory. It was that dry, understated sense of humour that kindles fondest memories among Glen's family, friends and former colleagues. He was also renowned as one of the keenest billiards players among the members of parliament. Members should go up to have a look at the honour board upstairs because it tells a political story. You can see the Playfords on that board, and DeGaris, who was a great champion, and many others from both sides of the house. What a shame it is that that competition is no longer going. It was last held in about 1987, and I think I came last, narrowly beaten by Anne Levy.

Over a five-year ministerial career, Glen held a range of portfolios, including fisheries, planning and development, community and welfare, and tourism. In 1973, he became this state's first minister for recreation and sport. During his tenure as a minister, Glen introduced a series of far-reaching initiatives. They included the establishment of the Coast Protection Board and a large increase in the area of national parks and river wetlands. He also oversaw the establishment of a quarry levy and measures to improve the appearance of the Adelaide Hills face zone, which was a major issue at the time in the 1970s.

Glen was also deeply concerned about population growth and overcrowding problems along the ribbon of land between Gawler and Aldinga. For that reason, he was a passionate supporter of the proposed development at Monarto, in addition to being the architect of that project. He was greatly disappointed when the Monarto scheme was later scrapped. That plan certainly attracted its critics but now, in retrospect, it looks increasingly wise as well as visionary. Glen's major legacy was the introduction, as I said before, of the container deposit legislation, completed in 1974, that saw cans and bottles reduced drastically as a source of litter across the state. Many other places around the world have followed. It was poignant that just weeks after Glen's death at the Palliative Care Unit at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, the chairman of Clean Up Australia, Ian Kiernan, was in Adelaide singing the praises of our container deposit scheme.

In closing, I think those of us who attended his funeral were deeply moved by the ceremony and also by the contribution of a number of people. Glen Broomhill was just 47 years old when he announced his retirement from politics at the 1979 election. Having stood down from the ministry in 1975 because of his wife Jill's failing health, Glen won the admiration and support of colleagues, constituents and the community when he forwent his political career to leave parliament, leave politics, to care for her full time. His devotion to his beloved Jill, as she battled illness, also led him to serve on the board of the Multiple Sclerosis Society of South Australia and Northern Territory for more than a decade.

Geoff Coles, the former executive managing director of John Martin's and former chairman of the South Australian Tourism Commission, was Glen Broomhill's brother-in-law (his sister was Jill), and he gave one of the most moving eulogies about someone's great love. Jill lived until just a few years ago, and Glen devoted a quarter of a century to her full-time care.

Glen's commitment to public life remained strong until very recently. He played an influential role on the board of ETSA, as well a serving as deputy chairman of the Power Line Environment Committee. Glen Broomhill is remembered with deep fondness as a quiet, unassuming man who harboured a great sense of humour and an even stronger sense of family and community.

On behalf of all members on this side of the house, I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Glen, especially to his daughters Jan and Julie, his son Greg, and the entire family.

Mr HAMILTON-SMITH (Waite—Leader of the Opposition) (14:18): It is with great pleasure that I second the motion and support the comments made by the Premier on the passing of Glen Broomhill, a former union official and MP for Henley Beach (formerly West Torrens), and minister in the Dunstan government, with a parliamentary career spanning 1965 to 1979. Both sides of politics remember Glen Broomhill well and fondly. He made his maiden speech in this place on 26 May 1965 at 37 years of age. Some of us at that time would have been at primary school, some of us may not have been born yet, but it does throw one back to the fact that so many have served this state so well, Mr Broomhill being one.

He was then the youngest member in the House of Assembly, and he went on to serve for 14 years as the member for Henley Beach, during which time, as the Premier pointed out, he held a range of ministerial positions covering labour and industry, environment and conservation, recreation and sport, planning and development, community welfare, and fisheries and tourism, as well as parliamentary appointments of opposition and government whip; and that is a basket of responsibilities.

Senior media identities around Adelaide remember Glen Broomhill as a hard-working and committed Labor man. He not only served his parliament well, he served his party well, and I am sure that members opposite are very proud of his achievements. Reading articles written about him during his time as a Dunstan minister, it is clear that he was known as a skilful yet mild-mannered politician. He was regarded as a straight talker by those on this side, as a man of great integrity and a politician who always had a ready smile.

Journalist Stewart Cockburn notes the following in an article he wrote about Mr Broomhill in 1971, when he was minister for the environment:

...a minister who has shown that he works with a nimble open mind, performs well under pressure and is a good listener.

We would all like that epitaph on our political tombstone one day, and good for him. In the same article, Cockburn is taken by Glen's ready remark that the Steele Hall Liberal government deserved credit for establishing the committee on the environment, the work of this committee providing the impetus for the development of the environment portfolio. He was a straight shooter and believed in giving credit where credit was due. These are attributes that all members of this place would emulate and they are to be admired. As respected as he was for these qualities, it was his commitment to his family that will be Glen Broomhill's longest-lasting legacy.

As the Premier pointed out, he cared for his wife. In the past couple of years in this place and in the federal arena, politicians from both sides have had cause to retire or resign for the very same reason: the need to care for their families. Mr Broomhill was a trailblazer for highlighting and acting on the need for work/life balance, and is to be given great credit for that pioneering work. As the Premier noted, in 1975 he resigned from Don Dunstan's cabinet so that he could spend more time with his wife Jill and their three children. None of us would need reminding of the toll sometimes taken by working so long and hard in this place. Glen's wife, Jill, and his three children were the most important people in this life. He would have endured criticism for his decision, but he knew it was the right one and, as a man of conviction, his family came first.

As we have heard, Glen Broomhill retired from politics in 1979 to care for his wife. We should all be proud of his achievements, both personal and public. It is a pleasure to have this opportunity to speak of a gentleman in South Australian politics and a wonderful family man. On behalf of the opposition, we on this side of the parliament express our condolences to not only the Labor Party but particularly to Glen's family and friends. He will be well remembered.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts) (14:22): It is with sadness that I join this debate to make a contribution about the life of Glen Broomhill. I would like to refer to a book published in 1971, a copy of which is in the Parliamentary Library. The book is called Sir Henry, Bjelke, Don Baby and Friends and was edited by Max Harris and Geoffrey Dutton. It refers in part to Glen Broomhill in this way:

When he joined the ministry after the Dunstan landslide of 1970, Broomhill was very much an unknown quantity. He had been quiet and relatively unnoticed in parliament although the workman-like performance as whip had been sufficient to stamp him as cabinet potential. In cabinet, he first held the labour and industry portfolio, relying heavily on his Miscellaneous Workers Union background and being pretty heavily pummelled by supporters of late-night shopping in the metropolitan area.

By way of interjection, I will just say that it is interesting that his brother-in-law, of course, was the head of a major retail store. It continues:

As it turned out, late-night shopping was banned but Broomhill escaped unscathed because the decision was based on a referendum. Broomhill's switch to conservation was a surprise. Don Dunstan, lobbying for his 10th cabinet minister, is said to have plumped for the young intellectual Don Hopgood, but unionist, Dave McKee, got the caucus accolade instead. Dunstan—

as it says here—

who likes a bit of brains and sophistication close to him, whipped Broomhill out of labour and industry into the new chair. A big future is predicted for the quiet one.

It was a great pleasure a year or so ago when I was environment and conservation minister in this government to have lunch with Glen Broomhill and my colleague the Minister for Families and Communities in the parliamentary dining room. We talked about that incident and he explained to us how he was being groomed—and he already had been minister for labour and industry—to be maintained in that portfolio. Don had arranged a caucus vote. There was to be a new member of cabinet and he was hoping to get Don Hopgood into that position but, sadly for him—that is, Don—he was beaten by Dave McKee, who had the numbers at the time. Of course, nobody would have expected Dave McKee to be the minister for environment and conservation. Glen was pushed into that role.

It was great to have the opportunity to talk to Glen and learn that little bit about Labor Party and political history. As a former minister for environment and conservation, I was very pleased to meet with him because he did leave a great legacy for South Australia by giving us much cleaner beaches, parks and roadways, and he is really responsible for keeping South Australia beautiful.

As the Premier said, he introduced container deposit legislation to combat the state's growing litter problem. That was completed in 1975, and not without great difficulty. The Legislative Council at the time sent it off to a select committee. Renfrey DeGaris, if you look through the newspaper clippings, was absolutely opposed to it; small business was opposed to it; the breweries were opposed to it; the retail industry was opposed to it; the canneries were opposed to it; everybody was opposed to it.

It was going to be the end of civilisation. As so often is the case when environmental initiatives are suggested, it is the end of civilisation. Of course after the event, it then proves not to have been the case, and this initiative remains a great success. I have to say that The Advertiser was absolutely on the money in its editorial of 11 June 1973 which states:

The State Government's decision to impose deposits on all drink containers is an excellent one. It should prove one of the most practical and effective measures introduced by the Minister of Environment and Conservation (Mr Broomhill).

That was a very sagacious analysis by the editor of The Advertiser. Just this month, as the Premier said, Clean Up Australia called for governments across the nation to follow South Australia's example. A number of governments across Australia have looked at this issue from time to time, but they have always found it too difficult and backed down.

By putting a 5¢ refund value on each drink bottle and can, this state recycles up to 90 per cent of drink containers while other states are well below 40 per cent. Up to 420 million containers are returned to South Australian recyclers each year, and this has been of enormous environmental benefit to our state. In addition, for more than 30 years, the scheme has helped community clubs and charities to raise money for projects.

In an oral history about the controversial legislation (kept in the State Library's collections) Mr Broomhill said he first checked the policy idea with then premier Don Dunstan, who told him 'it was sound policy and what a labour government ought to be doing'.

Mr Broomhill said that it took a lot of 'courage' to introduce the policy—he faced a backlash from the brewers, as I have said, soft drink manufacturers and the packaging industry. The policy's only outspoken group of supporters (Friends of the Earth at Adelaide University) caused a ruckus when they took empty cans into the gallery of the upper house. They covered the steps outside Parliament House with empty cans as well.

The measure did have broad public support—that continues to this day and I am very pleased it is now a bipartisan policy position. Glen said in his oral history, 'It was desirable, a social worry which ought to be righted.' The difficulties it was going to create were more than offset by its merits.

Mr Broomhill said he was stunned that the policy was never introduced interstate. The fact is that the first thing that anybody driving here from Melbourne will tell you is that as soon as you hit the border you notice the difference in the cleanliness of the state. Mr Broomhill made South Australia a leader in environmental reforms.

In addition, Mr Broomhill carried out planning for the linear park and for measures to improve the Adelaide Hills face zone. The government is determined to uphold his reform with a ban on plastic bags. Just as South Australians have embraced recycling, the community has embraced the use of reusable bags when shopping.

I would like to pass my respects on to Mr Broomhill's family and assure them that his achievements in this place will not be forgotten.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Minister for Families and Communities, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation, Minister for Housing, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability, Minister Assisting the Premier in Cabinet Business and Public Sector Management) (14:28): I rise to add my condolences to those who have already spoken, and pass them on to the Broomhill family. I first became aware of Mr Broomhill because I played tennis with his son at the Henley South Tennis Club. I was fascinated by this man who was a gentleman, a very old-fashioned gentleman, and he always presented in a very suave and smooth fashion.

What fascinated me at the time—it does not fascinate me now, but it fascinated me at the time—was that he seemed to have this glamorous job where he had to stay up all night working or into the morning, so he would sometimes come to the tennis club straight from the parliament, and I found that incredibly fascinating. I thought it must be such an important place that it had to sit all night. Now, of course, I know better. The other occasion on which I met Mr Broomhill was recently. As the Minister for Health (Hon. John Hill) has just mentioned, we arranged for Mr Broomhill to come to the parliament.

I had been thinking for some time that, in this place, we do not do enough to acknowledge our former members of parliament. There is a great repository of wisdom in former members of parliament and I do not think that we do enough to listen to them in an organised way; because there is much we can learn. To further that objective, and from chatting with John Hill, I knew that he was very keen to meet Mr Broomhill. I said that I had this small connection and I would organise for him to come. For an hour solid, he bagged us. I am now revisiting whether that was entirely a good idea. He was very frank in his advice about where the government was going wrong and he also recounted some fascinating anecdotes of Labor history, which I think we both found fascinating.

The reason I make a contribution today is to acknowledge Mr Broomhill's role as a carer. We did not have a word for what he did in 1975: it was just seen as the natural love that a husband has for his wife. You promise to look after them in sickness and in health, and you do that. He made an incredibly wonderful contribution. He threw in a career—and, by all accounts, he was regarded as a bright, young talent who could have been a premier. He simply turned his back on that to care for his much-loved wife and, by all accounts, not a word of complaint during the whole of that period.

The people who play the role of a carer, as we know from our work in this parliament, make an enormous contribution to the wellbeing of the loved ones for whom they care. Of course, it is the best possible way for someone to be cared for, although it can impose enormous burdens on that person. I know in the case of Mr Broomhill that it can also lead to even greater degrees of intimacy between a partner and their spouse. It is a wonderful example of devotion and love, and I think it should be acknowledged.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

Ms CHAPMAN (Bragg—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:32): I support the motion and extend my condolences to the family. I had the privilege of attending Mr Broomhill's funeral service and I join with the Premier in acknowledging the significant presentation by Mr Geoff Coles. He thanked Mr Broomhill and his family for the devotion they had to his sister, Jill, who, over a decade and a half, suffered considerably, and stated that Mr Broomhill had abandoned a political and professional career to provide that support. It was a very moving contribution and it was a great testament to the dedication and love that he had for his wife.

I also wish to mention that, before my father died, he went through a list of people who were members of the parliament in the 1970s and whom he liked and respected. I will not tell members how long the list was and how many from the other side have connections on that list, but I will say that Mr Broomhill was on it. That is probably remarkable for this reason: I cannot think of a single thing on which they actually ever agreed.

In some ways I cannot think of two more different people, but what struck me at the service was that there was a photograph of Mr Broomhill feeding magpies and blackbirds, which was something he enjoyed doing in the latter part of his life. It may surprise some members to hear that was also an activity which my father enjoyed in the last couple of years of his life. I think that is the only thing I can think of that they had in common. I think Ted had a much more pragmatic approach to birds. It was a little like chooks: if they were laying eggs, they did not need feeding; and if they did not lay eggs, they did not deserve feeding. They had a rather different approach to things, but I wish to convey to members of his family that this was something they had in common.

Whatever Ted and Jack Wright might be doing up there at the moment—probably trying to hoodwink people into playing a game of poker with them—I can just expect that Mr Broomhill will be there telling them off! My condolence to his family.

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton—Minister for Employment, Training and Further Education, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for Youth, Minister for Gambling) (14:35): I would like to rise to contribute to this condolence motion and in doing so extend by deepest sympathy to Mr Broomhill's family. Of course, as we have been told, Mr Broomhill was the member for Henley Beach, and before coming into this place I knew of Mr Broomhill as a local constituent, through the container deposit legislation and, of course, being the very outstanding local member of parliament that he was.

One only needs to review some of the documentation that appeared in the local papers at that stage reviewing the forthcoming elections, from 1970, from 1973, from 1975, where it was detailed that the 'LCL has a difficult problem in its attempt to win the seat of Henley Beach', because, of course, of the incumbency and outstanding contribution that Mr Broomhill made as local member, and it came through again in 1973 that, 'A difficult task would be had by anyone attempting to take the seat of Henley Beach.' And again in 1975: 'Mr Broomhill will be a difficult candidate to beat,' and the reason why he was such a difficult candidate to beat was because of the outstanding contribution he made not only as we have heard here as a minister of the Dunstan government but also as an outstanding local member of parliament.

Of course, we suffer today—I think 'suffer' is the right word—the four-yearly boundary redistributions, but if we look at Henley Beach as it was in 1970 and 1973 and 1975 it is essentially what is my seat today, and I think, of course, that he set as a local member a very great tradition for other people to follow with respect to the way by which you service those local constituents within that area.

So, I knew of Mr Broomhill as a constituent and as the minister for conservation and environment. It was when I was elected that I got to know Mr Broomhill a lot better, and that was through a series of phone calls that I received soon after being elected, and, of course, those phone calls were in no way focused on providing gratuitous advice to me. No, it was not. It was never from a position of knowing more than anyone else, but purely from a position of providing me with his knowledge of the area, his knowledge of the workings of government and parliament, and also providing what I believe to be sound counsel and advice.

But in line with the contributions of other speakers I too learnt much more about Mr Broomhill when I attended his funeral, and in particular, as has been mentioned, from Mr Coles and from his nephew James Rundle, who detailed various aspects of Mr Broomhill's life that I was not aware of. They were fantastic and very emotional contributions made by those two people. So not only was Mr Broomhill a remarkable man from the perspective of being a reformist in the political arena but as we have been told he was also a man who I think remained very faithful to his overarching priority, and that priority was, and remained up until his death, his family. As was mentioned by my colleague the member for Cheltenham, that was evidenced in his early departure from parliament to care for his very, very sick wife Jill. Again, I offer by deepest sympathies to the family of Glen Broomhill, and thank him for his outstanding contribution to this place.

The Hon. R.B. SUCH (Fisher) (14:40): I would like to pay a tribute to Glen Broomhill. I knew him personally. Way back in the 1970s I was an academic involved in what I think was innovative lecturing relating to studies of society and the environment. I met with him on many occasions, and we should acknowledge his contribution as a pioneer. The government of the day, of which he was a member, not only led Australia but led the world in many aspects of environmental legislation. The Premier mentioned something that I did not know, that he went to Goodwood Tech. I went to Goodwood Tech, so he has risen even higher in my estimation.

Glen was a gentleman in the truest sense of that term. He was always dignified, had a quiet manner and was a very pleasant person to deal with. I would suggest to all members here that the best way in which to honour his legacy is to live up to his expectations in terms of his focus on the environment (it was not his only focus). I believe that the best way to remember him is to uphold his commitment and his innovation in terms of environmental protection.

The Hon. G.M. GUNN (Stuart) (14:40): As a member who came to this place in the class of '70, I think I am the only person left who served with the late Mr Broomhill. He became minister for the environment (and that is a subject to which I pay a little attention!), and I found him to be a most reasonable and approachable person in that particular capacity. It was early days in that department, and I was perhaps a little more enthusiastic in those days in my representations. I have mellowed in my views since. I would like to extend my condolences to Mr Broomhill's family. He was a good member of parliament and a very good person. It was a pleasure to know him, and I am pleased to add my voice to those who have placed on the record the details of his service to the people of this state.

Ms CICCARELLO (Norwood) (14:41): I also would like to support this motion. I was very saddened to learn of the death of Glen Broomhill on Boxing Day last year. I had known Glen for many years, and I always found him to be a really likeable and intelligent man, with a great sense of humour—although, I must say, I was often the butt of his humour when we served on a committee together.

An honourable member: Did you fall down a cliff then?

Ms CICCARELLO: I did not fall down a cliff then. It would not be an understatement to say that Glen was one of the true gentlemen of politics, and I think most of us could only dream about being universally liked by those on both sides of politics. After leaving school and becoming a dental mechanic, Glen threw himself into the world of trade unions and the Australian Labor Party. He was a member of the miscellaneous workers union at 20 and a full-time organiser at 22. Glen's enthusiasm and knowledge led to his being invited by the British government to study industrial conditions in the United Kingdom, and at the age of 26 he became the youngest union secretary in the state as well as being its federal vice president.

Glen inevitably was drawn to politics, in particular, with the encouragement of his much loved uncle, senator Jim Toohey, and also Clyde Cameron. He was preselected as the Labor candidate for West Torrens. He went on to win the seat, and we have heard about his stellar career in parliament. He was elevated to cabinet as minister of labor and industry, and we have heard about the political time bomb that he was handed, having to deal with the referendum on Friday night shopping hours. He faced a lot of tensions at home, because his brother-in-law was Geoff Coles, the manager of John Martin's. Glen was then appointed as the state's and the country's first minister for conservation and environment, and he carried out his duties very well, as was the case with respect to the container deposit legislation. He also served a significant period as minister for recreation, sport, fisheries and tourism.

While Glen relished being minister for the environment, I would like to think that the sports portfolio brought him a particular delight. As well as being a member of almost every sports club in his electorate, Glen was a mad football fan. He was a keen supporter of Glenelg, and he played with the Bay Colts in his youth. He also was an active racegoer and was part owner of a horse called Carry the Flag. As the Minister for Families and Communities has said, I think that Glen's greatest contribution was looking after his beloved wife, Jill. At his service, it was great to hear Geoff Coles describe how he went home and found a young man with black hair, wearing dark glasses, sitting there with his sister, and not very long after that they were engaged and then married. I got to know Glen very well when he was a chairperson of the Power Line Environment Committee; and, at that time, Roger Goldsworthy was also a member of that committee. I was a member of that committee for about six years, which met in the old ETSA building in Norwood. We had a lot of very animated discussions, particularly about football, because Glen was very dismissive of my favourite team, Norwood—the mighty Redlegs. He liked to tell me how great Glenelg was, but I always reminded him that Norwood thumped Glenelg in the grand final. He was a wonderful individual and he will be sorely missed.

I was speaking earlier today to Murray De Laine who knew Glen very well. In later years Glen had started to become involved in the Retired Members of Parliament Bowling Club. He intended to take part in some tournaments, but he told Murray that in December he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and that he did not think he would last until that time. He is a sad loss to our community. He made a wonderful contribution and I extend my condolences to his family.

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (14:46): I rise briefly to express my condolences on the passing of a great South Australian, the Hon. Glen Broomhill. I, too, have the honour of being a son of one of Mr Broomhill's friends on this side of the house, and I do this for my father. However, there were a lot of friends over there, and I did appreciate the Premier's speech when he listed half a dozen of them. There were some giants among that group, and I think that both sides can say that it is times such as this when we can reflect on the stalwarts of our party; and, Premier, you did list six of my father's very close friends. He often spoke of them long after he retired. When I was a young political apparatchik following my father around it was easy to get to hate the bad guys on that side of the house, because that is the sort of indoctrination you pick up. However, meeting and working with people such as Glen Broomhill makes you say, 'Well, there are some good guys over there', and you respect them a lot.

I want to touch briefly on the container deposit legislation because, as chairman of the ERD Committee for almost eight years (and I know that the member for Norwood is already carrying on), I spoke to the Hon. Glen Broomhill several times about this, and I wondered why other states had not picked it up. He gave me much advice, and I assured him that I would take up the fight for him, and the member for Norwood and others will back me up. I think that I have attended 14 conferences and every time I have raised this issue. I can say that, in his memory, I will keep doing it because I just do not know why it has not been picked up.

I believe that the Hon. Glen Broomhill's life can be an example to us all—a quiet achiever. He was driven and, as we heard today, he was a very dedicated family man. He was a gentleman and a friend to all in this parliament. I express my condolences to Glen's family and friends.

The SPEAKER: I thank members for their contributions. I did not know Mr Broomhill but I did spend a large part of my youth collecting drink cans for pocket money. I pay tribute to Mr Broomhill's contribution. I will forward to Mr Broomhill's family an extract from Hansard of today's proceedings. I ask all members in support of the motion to please rise in their places.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.

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