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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, First Session (54-1)
2018-10-17 Daily Xml
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Hyde, Dr J.

Ms BEDFORD (Florey) (15:30): It is fitting to speak about Jim Hyde, a former librarian in this place, where decisions that affect South Australia and South Australians are made. Before the legislation and policy comes to the floor, the work of policymaking, legislative drafting and negotiation occurs outside the chamber, and that is where Jim Hyde made an important and powerful contribution. As a researcher and policymaker, Jim was driven by his unwavering commitment to equality, fairness and justice and a strong belief in the value and purpose of community.

Jim's childhood and formative years in various country towns in South Australia were critical in developing a strong sense of community and a capacity to talk to anyone, anytime, anywhere about anything with ease, good humour and genuine interest. His involvement in politics and policymaking, from student politics to senior levels of government and administration, was shaped by these values.

As an advocate for gay and lesbian rights, he was an activist against criminalisation when outspoken, public visibility was dangerous and came at a high personal cost. As a member of the University of Adelaide Council and the board of the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music, he helped to bring Aboriginal culture, art and social issues into the consciousness of educators and decision-makers while dismantling barriers to access. He was an influential founding member of the Graham F. Smith Peace Trust.

In federal politics, he ensured that policies on employment and education were integrated with other areas of policy and decision-making, especially health, Aboriginal affairs, child care, equal opportunity, the arts and youth affairs. Supporting access to education for people from non-traditional backgrounds was a priority, as Jim advocated access and support for remote and rural students, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and socially disadvantaged young people. Peter Duncan cannot be here today but wants to add a personal message:

Jim was flamboyant, exuberant, passionate, compassionate. For those of us who knew, worked with and loved Jim, those words will resonate. He touched us all. His love for his family—his daughters Alice and Sophie and partner Glen—was beyond measure. Time factors require a brevity today which would have been completely foreign to Jim. He worked for me and with me for the whole of the 13 years that I served in the Australian parliament. He was everything from electorate officer to campaign manager to senior private secretary when I was a minister. His capacity for inspired hard work knew no bounds.

He was gay proud and out of the closet in the 1980s when it was rare to find openly gay people in public life, except in the ABC. Jim successfully stood for parliament preselection for the Senate and in doing so kicked the door open for other gay people who have successfully sought preselection by the ALP and subsequently served in the parliaments. The Labor Party and the wider society are poorer for not having taken the opportunity to use his talents. Of course, Jim worked in many other capacities and causes too numerous to mention here. But underlying his lifework was his caring, compassion and love. Farewell, Jim. In the words of the now not so recent song, 'You shook us all night long.'

That is the end of Peter's message. Jim's pioneering work on HIV and AIDS policy and legislation in South Australia and Victoria helped to develop enlightened and compassionate approaches at a time when understanding was poor and prejudice was widespread. His commitment contributed to reduced incidence of illness, better treatment options and more sensitive community responses. He continued his work in the field of public health administration and public health policy, always combining concern for the individual with an evidence-based approach that considered wide population effects and the need for adequate resources.

Jim had a prodigious work ethic, energised by endless curiosity and interest in people. While his politics and policymaking were based on facts and careful research, he loved the gossip and drama of politics. His sense of fun and playfulness and willingness to engage in intellectual rather than personal argument ensured that policy discussions and meetings were lively and entertaining. Jim's public activism was balanced by deep loyalty to his family and friends. His kindness and generosity were prolific, and his political convictions were reflected in his capacity to support people who needed help or found themselves in difficulty.

For me, Jim was a mentor and, very soon after, a wonderful friend. His was a sharp intellect, blended with astute observation and a legendary reluctance to hold back, combined with a caring, funny side, making him a treasured friend. We had fun—no-one will forget the direct-mail marathons and the first folding and stuffing machine in South Australia—and we shared many adventures to some exotic places like Langkawi and New Orleans. Jim was campaign manager in situ for my amazing win in 1997 and later, in absentia, he was present in every Florey campaign.

For so many of Jim's South Australian fan club, here to honour him today and those who could not be here, Jim was a force and presence in our lives, our personal lives and working lives, for some cases years and often decades. Vale, Jim. Along with your family, all your friends share the grief and sorrow of your passing and we will always remember you.

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