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House of Assembly - Fifty-First Parliament, Second Session (51-2)
2008-04-02 Daily Xml
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WESTERN AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARIANS

Mr VENNING (Schubert) (15:51): It is with some sadness that I give this speech today, acknowledging the lives of two great Western Australian parliamentarians known to many of us: the Hon. Trevor Sprigg and the Hon. Fred McKenzie. I think it is very important to acknowledge these two men and their contribution to Australian politics.

Both these men were whips from each side of politics—one Liberal, one Labor. I knew both men personally and was proud to call them friends. Trevor was a member of parliament and Fred was retired. I think it is important to recognise the service these two men gave to Australian politics generally, and to offer sympathy to their families, and to honour their memories in the future.

In January this year, I played in the annual interstate Parliamentary Bowls Tournament, a tournament in which both Mr Sprigg and Mr McKenzie were playing, and I was deeply saddened to hear that both had passed away shortly after we had enjoyed time together. I had known Fred for approximately 10 years and Trevor for approximately three.

The Hon. Trevor Sprigg was born in 1946 and passed away on 17 January this year, aged 61. Trevor was the member for Murdoch, following the election of 26 February 2005. He also had the role of Liberal Party whip from 27 August 2006, he was a member of the Parliamentary Services Committee and was the opposition spokesperson for sport and recreation.

The attendance of 1,200 people at his funeral service was a testament to the way in which Trevor was valued as a family man, friend, sportsman and colleague. Trevor enjoyed a successful sporting career prior to entering the Western Australian parliament, playing football for East Fremantle Football Club and Glenorchy Football Club, and representing both Western Australia and Tasmania respectively. Trevor also excelled in playing cricket for Fremantle.

Prior to entering politics, Trevor had a career in the media as a football commentator and columnist, employed by the ABC, commercial radio stations and newspapers. Trevor was a truly great person—a family man, a loyal friend, great sportsman and notable parliamentarian—who will be greatly missed. He was a man who achieved many things in his life: in sport, in the media and in politics. His help to me, especially as whip, will be appreciated and long remembered. As a member of the Parliament of South Australia, I express my deepest sympathy and condolences on the passing of such a wonderful and well-respected man to Trevor's wife Lyn and to the Sprigg family.

The Hon. Fred McKenzie was born during the great Depression and passed away on 18 March this year, only a few days ago. Fred McKenzie was a Labor member of Western Australia's upper house for 16 years. He was elected in 1977 and retired in 1993. Fred served three years as the opposition whip and was the government whip from 1983 until his retirement from politics in 1993, a period of 10 years. Fred is remembered by his colleagues in Western Australia as an exemplary government whip and a person who was sincere and honest in his work. He has also been paid tribute for his qualities as a strong supporter of the rules and for due process.

Fred's earliest career was in the building industry, followed by military service. From 1954, Fred dedicated his life to working with rail, beginning as a trainee guard, serving on executive committees of a rail company and serving in leadership positions in the Australian Railways Union.

His love for rail permeated many aspects of his life, and he has been remembered by his colleagues in Western Australia as someone who could turn any speech into a speech about railways. I have some empathy with that. Fred gave enormously to the community throughout his life, beginning with his national service and his involvement with the railways, right through to his work as a parliamentarian and his voluntary service with the Meals on Wheels organisation.

Fred was also known as being a true family man, having a tremendously strong bond and relationship with his wife, Helen, and his two children, and he will also be remembered for this. He will be dearly missed. I rang Helen last week to pay my respects and reflected on what a wonderful man Fred was. I also rang Heini Becker, who expressed his wish to extend his and Marlene's condolences, as do Kevin and Maureen Hamilton and the Weatherill family.

I extend our sympathies and condolences to Fred's wife, Helen, and to his son, Scott, and daughter, Terri-Ellen. Fred was a lovely man in every way to me, irrespective of his politics. Here again is proof: good men and good women share friendships both across the political divide and across state borders. Rest in peace.

Honourable members: Hear, hear!

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