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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2021-08-24 Daily Xml
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Condolence

McKee, Hon. C.D.T.

The Hon. S.S. MARSHALL (Dunstan—Premier) (14:03): By leave, I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of Mr Colin David Thomas McKee, former member of the House of Assembly, and places on record its appreciation of his meritorious service, and that as a mark of respect to his memory the sitting of the house be suspended until the ringing of the bells.

Colin McKee was the Labor member for Gilles between 1989 and 1993. He was born on 8 August 1949, the son of Dave and Rhonda McKee. Ten years later, his father was elected to this house to represent the city of Port Pirie and the surrounding areas. This meant Colin spent much of his upbringing in the Iron Triangle city.

His father was a member of this house for 16 years, culminating in ministerial service under Premier Dunstan between 1970 and 1975. Before his election to this house in 1959, Dave McKee had been renowned as a boxer. By contrast, 30 years later, in his maiden speech to this house his son spoke about his interest in the arts as an organiser for the Musicians' Union and later for Actors and Announcers Equity.

Before his election as the member for Gilles, Colin had also served for almost 10 years at the Labor Party office as party organiser. During that time, he worked on two state election campaigns and three federal campaigns, as well as a number of by-elections. During his service to this parliament he was a member of the Joint Committee for Subordinate Legislation and, subsequently, the Legislative Review Committee.

His parliamentary service coincided with the nadir of his party's political fortunes following the collapse of the State Bank, and one of the consequences was that Colin was unable to secure his party's preselection for the seat of his choice in the 1993 election. As a result, he did not seek to continue his parliamentary career.

On behalf of the house, I express our appreciation to Colin for his service to this parliament and to the people of South Australia. I also extend our deep sympathy to his wife, Cyndy; son, Todd; sister, Laneene; and other members of the McKee family. Vale, Colin McKee.

Mr MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Leader of the Opposition) (14:05): I second the motion from the Premier. I rise today to honour the contribution to public life of the late Colin McKee. A parliamentarian, a unionist, a Labor man and a friend of many current and former members of the South Australian party, Colin David Thomas McKee passed away last month on 6 July aged 71.

Colin will be remembered as a hardworking and devoted member of parliament who represented the interests of the people of Gilles with diligence and integrity. Colin was elected in the 1989 state election and replaced Jack Slater, a former minister in the Bannon government who held the seat of Gilles from 1970 to 1989. At the age of 40, he joined six other new parliamentary colleagues who also entered the parliament in the 1989 election. They included Vic Heron, Colin Hutchinson, John Quirke, Paul Holloway and Michael Atkinson.

Back in 1989, the seat to which Colin was elected was similar to the current seat of Torrens. It bordered on Walkerville and took in the suburbs of Vale Park, Manningham, Windsor Gardens, Hillcrest and Gilles Plains. Colin followed in the footsteps of his father, David, who was also an MP for Port Pirie, between 1959 and 1970, and for the seat of Pirie, between 1970 and 1975. He was also the Minister for Labour and Industry in the Dunstan government between 1970 and 1975.

In his maiden speech, Colin said that he was never pushed into politics but, growing up in a working-class family, being surrounded by unionism and Labor politics, the Vietnam War and conscription were enough to mould his opinion. Colin believed that participation in Labor politics and the labour movement was the only way he could make a substantial contribution to his fellow human beings, even if only in a small way, to improve the community—and he did make a contribution.

He spent 17 years as a union official and a Labor Party organiser before entering parliament. His early career saw him become an organiser of the Musicians' Union of South Australia and, like former premiers Don Dunstan and John Bannon, he later became involved in the union for performers in radio, television, theatre and dance, becoming the founding secretary of Actors Equity.

In 1979, after the loss of the Corcoran government, Colin was elected to the position of state organiser of the Labor Party, which could be a highly sought-after position. His first electoral blooding happened just five weeks after he took on the position, when he was sent out to work on the Norwood by-election.

Some may recall that Greg Crafter was elected in the March 1979 by-election triggered by the abrupt resignation of Premier Don Dunstan. Only six months later, he was defeated by Liberal Frank Webster at the September 1979 state election; however, when a court overturned Webster's win another by-election was held in February 1980, which Colin worked on and which ultimately saw Greg Crafter re-elected as the member for Norwood. Colin's work is well credited amongst those familiar with that by-election.

Colin spent nearly 10 years at the party office and worked with the then secretary of the party and now former Senator Chris Schacht. They worked together on four state by-elections, three federal elections and two state election campaigns, culminating in success in all but three by-elections—an outstanding record. In his maiden speech, Colin spoke passionately about the music industry, the Labor Party and the environment.

In the lead-up to the 1993 state election, the seat of Gilles was abolished and the new seat of Torrens was created. I cannot imagine that the last couple of years of the Bannon-Arnold government were enjoyable for anyone, especially not for those who were seeking preselection in incredibly difficult circumstances.

While Colin could have quit politics in 1992, which would have resulted in a by-election that more than likely would have brought down the then Labor government, it was something that Colin did not elect to do. Like many others, in Labor-held seats in the 1993 state election—even with a high-profile minister contesting the seat—there was a massive swing against the Labor Party and the seat of Torrens was picked up by the Liberal Party.

Would it have made a difference if Colin had been preselected for Torrens? No-one really knows, one can only speculate, but there is no doubt it was a tumultuous period in the Labor Party and, like many MPs who were elected at the 1989 election, it was difficult to contest the 1993 one.

Interestingly, not all media coverage in 1992 was about Colin's preselection battle. In preparing this speech, I read a rather lengthy story that appeared in the Adelaide Advertiser speculating about what Colin would do after his preselection battle for Torrens. It was clear that Colin was very much committed to his family. Colin's family can feel very proud of the many decades of work he helped carry out on behalf of others.

Colin was committed to serving the labour movement and was passionate about the issues that were important to South Australians. He was a man who stood firm to his beliefs and his conscience. He pursued whatever he believed was best for our state and his community throughout his entire working life within the labour movement.

On behalf of the Opposition and the parliamentary Labor Party, I express my sincere condolences to Colin's wife, Cyndy, who has joined us in the gallery today; his son, Todd; his much-loved sister, Laneene; and his extended family, friends and former colleagues. My thoughts are with them at this difficult time. May he rest in peace.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.

Sitting suspended from 14:11 to 14:23.

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