CONDOLENCES

Mr TAYLOR (Hume—Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): I thank the Prime Minister for his heartfelt words, and I join him in honouring the life of Peter Frederick Morris OAM, the son of a Greek immigrant who, we've heard, ran a local cafe in Newcastle. Peter came from modest beginnings, but his achievement as a transport minister was not modest at all; it was of great consequence.

Before entering public life, Peter managed his family's wholesale and retail food businesses and he served as an alderman on Newcastle City Council. He rode into Canberra on the 'It's Time' Whitlam government wave in 1972, but his success was self-made—a man who was re-elected 10 times by the people of Shortland. After the Dismissal election of 1975, Labor's move into opposition ended up being career defining for Peter.

He was appointed as spokesperson on transport and, when Bob Hawke brought Labor back into power, Peter became the minister for both transport and aviation. In these roles, he helped to build the nation. Under Peter's watch, 16,000 kilometres of national highway were upgraded, and he opened the M1 motorway between Newcastle and Sydney.

He secured the original funding for what is now Western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek in my own electorate, and he was instrumental in the establishment of Newcastle Airport for the town he absolutely loved. Bob Hawke saw Peter as a quiet achiever, a man who got things done, and under the Hawke government Peter served in numerous other portfolios, including Resources and Industrial Relations.

His sense of service stayed with him when he returned to the backbench. As we've just heard, in 1992 as a committee chair, he delivered the Ships of shame report. Retiring after 25 years of service, he was appointed to the International Commission on Shipping.

In 1998, the year of Peter's exit from politics, the then Liberal member for Corangamite sang Peter's praises on the floor of the parliament. He said of Peter: His knowledge of transport matters was second to none … he was regarded by his peers in the transport area in Australia as being the most knowledgeable person in that area. As testimony to his service to the parliament and the maritime industry, he was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 2012.

So, on behalf of the coalition, I express my condolences to Peter's sons, Michael, Paul and John; to his wider family; and to his many friends, especially in our great Greek community and in the Labor Party. May Peter Frederick Morris rest in peace.