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House of Assembly - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2013-06-20 Daily Xml
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HODGMAN, HON. MICHAEL

Mr GARDNER (Morialta) (15:15): It is with some sincere regret that I bring to the attention of the parliament and the house the passing of the Hon. Michael Hodgman AM QC after a long battle with emphysema. I had the great pleasure of meeting Michael on a number of occasions, and he impressed me in the short time that we had the opportunity to converse and also interact in meetings. He was a loud, proud character who had the respect of many, many people, during, after, between and before his time in politics.

He was born on 16 December 1938 in Hobart. His father William was involved in both houses of the Tasmanian parliament. His brother Peter was a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly and, as members would be aware, his son Will is currently the Leader of the Opposition in the Tasmanian state parliament.

Michael Hodgman entered politics in 1966 in the Legislative Council in Tasmania. In 1975, he was elected to the House of Representatives, representing the constituents of the seat of Denison. In 1980, he was appointed a minister in the Fraser government. He was the minister for the capital territory and assistant minister for industry and commerce. He was instrumental in the introduction of the Australian Institute of Sport. He was also a shadow minister under Andrew Peacock—his opposition leader and someone he was very close to indeed.

In 1987, Michael Hodgman was defeated by Duncan Kerr after a redistribution of electorate boundaries and returned to the bar. He returned to state politics in 1992 in the House of Assembly, this time for the state seat of Denison, and he held that seat for another 17 years. Michael Hodgman became a Queen's Counsel in 1984. He was well respected in the legal profession. Michael Kirby was one who described always enjoying Michael Hodgman's court appearances—someone from maybe slightly different politics but certainly with a respect for the legal mind.

I also note that the member for Stuart, of course, was a professional basketballer with the Hobart Devils. Michael Hodgman was a very active patron of the Hobart Devils National Basketball League team, in which the member for Stuart played from 1985 to 1988. I know that he was very active in that team, as he was in all of the community organisations in which he played a role. The member for Stuart has told me of the value that the players put on their patron. Duncan Kerr, who I mentioned before, described Michael as 'blunt, outspoken, fair, funny, and, despite our two fiercely fought campaigns, my friend.' He went on to say, 'He will be deeply mourned by Tasmanians of every political persuasion.'

The current incumbent member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie—the Independent MP—has said that Michael is still fondly remembered by his constituents. Wilkie said, and I quote: 'It seems he knew every voter, all by name, all their children and which football team they supported.' That is backed up by former Liberal premier Robin Gray, who said, and I quote: 'You could go to the races with Michael and he would be able to introduce you to nearly everyone on the racecourse and of course they were all his dearest friends.'

He was a monarchist. He strongly believed Australia should not become a republic. I remember that, in federal Liberal Party conferences, whenever he introduced himself to speak on a motion, he would always stand up proudly and say, 'The Hon. Michael Hodgman QC, Her Majesty's loyal shadow attorney-general for the state of Tasmania.' Whenever I hear the Speaker refer to Her Majesty's loyal opposition in this place or any other, I always think of Michael Hodgman and I will do so more so in the future, in fond memory. He served the Tasmanian people at a state and a federal level over a career that spanned over four decades and he was one of Australia's most durable politicians. He never forgot a name or a face. He met the Queen six times, which he was extremely proud of, but he was just as comfortable mixing with Tasmanians down at the pub.

On a personal note again, the first encounter I had with him was when he lent his voice, his passion and his persuasion to an environmental policy motion that I was moving at the federal Liberal Party councillors as a fairly young Liberal president about 12 or 13 years ago. It was a fairly sceptical room. I am not sure that I was going to get anywhere close to a majority in the room. Then Michael Hodgman stood up, Her Majesty's loyal shadow attorney-general for the great state of Tasmania, and I thought he was going to shoot me down completely. He supported the motion. He had a strong environmental passion and he turned the room. I give all credit to him for that.

He took time to support young Liberals, and young people in politics. He earned respect from all sides of the political spectrum, which is a sign of the significant contribution that he has made. He fought for what he believed in. As Malcolm Fraser said, he had the courage, but more than anything he had conviction. Michael Hodgman was a colourful character. He brought life to politics. We are all the richer for the contribution he has made in his career over four decades. My condolences, as are those of the house I am sure, are with his family, his friends, his loved ones and the people of Tasmania.

The SPEAKER: I, too, offer my condolences to the Hodgman family on the death of Michael, the Mouth from the South.

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