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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2024-11-26 Daily Xml
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Condolence

Arnold, Hon. P.B.

The Hon. P.B. MALINAUSKAS (Croydon—Premier) (14:03): By leave, I move:

That the House of Assembly expresses its deep regret at the death of the Hon. Peter Bruce Arnold, former member of the House of Assembly, and places on record its appreciation of his long and 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.

I stand to pay tribute to the Hon. Peter Bruce Arnold, who passed away on 23 October at the age of 88. Peter's entire life was dedicated to the betterment of South Australia's agriculture sector inside as well as outside of the state parliament. Following his education at St Peter's boys, Peter soon established himself as a farmer and a viticulturalist at Cobdogla in the heart of the Riverland, a place that he would forever call his home.

As the Barmera president of the Liberal and Country League, Peter first ran as the member for Chaffey at the 1968 election that ended the first premiership of Don Dunstan and ushered in the Liberal and Country League government of the Hon. Steele Hall. He was subsequently ousted at the landslide 1970 election that returned Dunstan to power; however, this of course proved to be a very brief pause in what would become a proud 24-year parliamentary career. He was returned as the member for Chaffey at the 1973 election, and by the time of his 1993 retirement had turned the electorate from a hard-fought marginal seat into one of the safest Liberal seats in South Australia.

Peter's political career was marked by a particular focus on South Australia's vital water resources, work informed by his substantial experience on the land. He was appointed as the Minister for Water Resources, Minister for Lands and Minister for Irrigation in the Liberal government of David Tonkin, as well as holding the portfolios of repatriation and Aboriginal affairs, and was one of the key architects of the Murray-Darling waters agreement, which he considered one of his proudest achievements and most significant parliamentary achievements.

After leaving politics, Peter returned to his agricultural interests in Cobdogla; however, his fierce spirit of advocacy for the people of regional South Australia never dimmed. As recently as February, he was on our national broadcaster to raise awareness of the challenges being faced by grapegrowers in his region, continuing to promote our state's vital primary producers and shine a light on the Riverland and its concerns.

We offer sincere condolences to Peter's wife, Valerie, his children Andrew and Kristina, and his extended family, including his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who adored their beloved Poppa. I move that this motion be commended to the house.

The Hon. V.A. TARZIA (Hartley—Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): I rise today to support the condolence motion in recognition of the Hon. Peter Arnold, who passed away on 23 October this year at the age of 88. Peter Arnold was born on 21 December 1935 in Berri, South Australia. He attended Cobdogla state school and St Peter's College before working as a fruit grower, viticulturalist and horticultural machinist in the Riverland. It was no doubt these experiences that helped to shape his dedication to the region and its people, ultimately leading to his election to the South Australian parliament.

Peter was first elected as the member for Chaffey in 1968 under the banner of the Liberal and Country League. Although his initial term ended in 1970, he returned in 1973 where he remained as the member for Chaffey for the 20 years to follow, retiring in 1993. Throughout his parliamentary career, Peter was a tireless advocate for the Riverland, focusing on water resources, agriculture and community development. One of his defining moments came during the Chowilla dam debate. Peter opposed the proposed dam, arguing it would flood wetlands and raise salinity levels in the Riverland, harming local agriculture and the environment as well. His background as a horticulturalist gave him a deep understanding of these issues, and he fought to have the dam scrapped. It was on this issue that Peter lost his seat in 1970 to Labor member Reg Curren, but it was also the ground on which he beat Reg and returned to parliament in 1973.

Peter became an instrumental figure in negotiating South Australia's water allocations. His advocacy earned him a promotion to the cabinet in 1979 when he became the Minister for Water Resources, Irrigation, Lands and Repatriation. In 1982, he also served as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. Peter's contributions extended beyond his ministerial roles. He served on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and later on the Environment, Resources and Development Committee as well. His work on these committees demonstrated his focus on practical solutions to the challenges faced by South Australians, particularly those in regional areas.

Peter's dedication to the Riverland and its people has left a lasting legacy. From championing sustainable water use to improving agricultural opportunities, Peter Arnold was a relentless advocate for the region's growth and its prosperity as well. His passion, expertise and tireless efforts will not be forgotten. On behalf of the state parliamentary team, I extend my deepest condolences to Peter's wife, Val; his children, Andrew and Tina; and his family and loved ones as well. Peter Arnold was a hardworking and respected servant of his community and state, and his legacy will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him and benefiting from his service. May he rest in peace.

Mr WHETSTONE (Chaffey) (14:09): Peter Bruce Arnold, born 21 December 1935 in the Berri hospital, attended the Cobdogla state school and spent time in the national service as an ordinary seaman in the Royal Australian Navy. Eventually he returned to his roots in the Riverland as a successful fruitgrower, viticulturist and machinist before deciding to enter politics. Upon entering politics, his local upbringing, background and knowledge put him in the best position to fight for our region in the parliament.

He became the member for Chaffey in 1968 under the Liberal and Country League banner, defeating Labor's Reg Curren, but he stood for what he believed in and was prepared to lose an election to Reg Curren on the Chowilla dam project in 1970, after just two years. The good people of Chaffey realised the detriment it would have on the South Australian landscape and the Riverland, and they made the right decision to re-elect Peter in 1973. Their decision was clear, with a 13.4 per cent swing, and he went on to serve Chaffey for another 20 years.

He was a champion of integral water policy. He remained a fierce defender of our river system. He was a minister in the Tonkin government through water resources, irrigation, lands, repatriation and Aboriginal affairs. He also served on the Public Works Committee and later the Environment, Resources and Development Committee. Peter's first deputation as a minister was at Coffin Bay with the proposed yacht club. He met with Peter Blacker, the local member, and Val, who later became his wife. His solution through that meeting was to issue a permanent title or knock the building down. Today, the Coffin Bay Yacht Club is considered one of the best yacht clubs in South Australia.

Despite the responsibilities in the ministry, he never lost sight of his electorate, successfully elected no less than seven times. It was a testament to the high regard in which he was held by his local community. Peter and I do have some similarities. He mentored me as a father figure coming into politics, and we both served as the member for Chaffey. He was a machinist; I was a toolmaker. We both lived on the Sturt Highway, we were both horticulturalists, we both had a love for wine, and we both had a love for cars. He still has a 1950 Jaguar Mark V; I had a Monaro.

We shared a passion for water: our love for fishing on Eyre Peninsula; his love at Coffin Bay, and his house on the high point overlooking the bay; and my love for Eyre Peninsula at Elliston. We both had a passion for waterskiing. I was a waterski racer, and he was a yacht racer. Peter loved crayfishing, particularly launching his tinnie to put in a pot at Avoid Bay. He was a yachtsman and used to race the RL24, particularly having Lake Bonney on his front doorstep, allowing him to live the dream every day. Of course, water politics and the Chowilla dam are how this place best remembers Peter.

I base a lot of my approach to politics and being accessible to people on the model of Peter Arnold: being visible, proactive, having the listening ear. As Peter said and as my grandfather said, 'You have two ears and one month; twice as much listening, half as much talking.' He took on what he stood for. He carried his legacy for the river. Post politics, his passion and his advocacy for the river and our region did not end. After he retired, he was a forward-thinking man. He would say, 'Good policy can never be trumped, no matter how good you think your politics are.'

His water policy was focused on the future of the Murray, and his solutions remain true today for the water-sharing arrangements across the catchment. Today, South Australia enjoys that 1,850 gigalitres of entitlement that was negotiated between himself and Steele Hall as the architects of great water policy. The ripples of his dedication are still felt around the electorate today. He continued to be an active member of the Chaffey community. He remained a mentor, as I continue in his footsteps. Thirty years after his retirement, our community is better today for his courage and his strong leadership.

His passing was a private affair at the Barmera hospital, but we later celebrated his life with family and friends at the Cobby Club. It was well attended by many community people and I was privileged to speak to that group to share some of Peter's impact and involvement in my life and what he meant to the community.

My thoughts are with Val. We have Andrew and Tina in the gallery today. Over lunch today Tina recalled riding her bike through the corridors of Parliament House when Peter was an MP. Peter was a loving husband, father and grandfather, a mentor and a fierce advocate for the electorate of Chaffey and particularly for our river. He was an exemplary example of an outstanding member of parliament. He will be greatly missed. Vale Peter Arnold.

Motion carried by members standing in their places in silence.

The SPEAKER: The house will stand suspended until the ringing of the bells.

Sitting suspended from 14:16 to 14:26.

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