Mr FERGUSON (Bass) – Honourable Speaker, I rise tonight to pay tribute to the late John Watson AM – Launceston born and bred, a true Liberal, a man of integrity, faith, and tireless service to Tasmania and our nation.

John’s public life spanned a remarkable three decades representing Tasmania in the Australian Senate, followed by five more years on the West Tamar Council. John never sought fanfare but real outcomes. Before politics, he had learned leadership in the world of commerce, especially at the Kelsall and Kemp Woollen Mill, treating people – his workers – with dignity even in the hardest moments, those of a large factory closing down and families hurting.

That experience shaped the senator that he became – to be a practical, compassionate and financially meticulous individual representing our state. He entered federal politics in 1978 in unusual circumstances: a last-minute call to put his hand up from Don Wing, and then he simply got on with the job. He took what was considered an unwinnable position on the Senate ticket, but he was elected. He became unparalleled in the nation on matters of finance, tax and superannuation. Yet, interestingly – and perhaps, as life can be, unfairly – he never held a ministry. He perfectly had the capability of being a great minister.

As one insider observed, he had no parliamentary peer in tax legislation. He could unravel complexity and improve laws on the Senate Floor. Australia’s superannuation system today is stronger because John Watson applied his clever mind and moral compass to its design. His daughter Rosemary said of her dad in The Examiner, “He had two speeds, stop and go. It was mostly go.” That was John Watson: a man very focused, energetic and driven by duty.

People always came first for him. I can speak personally to that. In 2004, as a young first time candidate for the federal seat of Bass, I found in John a steadfast supporter. He was good to me, my family, and my campaign team, constantly supportive and encouraging when I needed it most. When I was elected, he actually stayed just that way: sharing resources, offering moral support. You know, that sort of older-man guidance in a younger man’s life – so valuable. He gave lobbying assistance on local projects when I needed it. He did all of that very quietly, never seeking thanks. A very rare thing in politics, would we agree?

John’s courage was also principled on a number of occasions when his conscience was conflicting with his party’s policy position, he crossed the Floor. It was said at his funeral that he did it in a correct way, a way with integrity, conviction and loyalty all in one, because he would gently argue the point. If unsuccessful, on those rare occasions, he let his leader know, he told all of his colleagues, and then he did cross the Floor on a small number of occasions. He did it quietly, but he did it to maintain his personal integrity.

At the heart of John’s life was his faith in Jesus as saviour. He didn’t just wear Christianity as a label. He lived it – in the way that he listened, the way he worked, and the way that he treated other people. His was the steady, generous faith of a Christian family man. I really admired that about him, and I always will.

John’s longest and happiest partnership, of course, was with Jocelyn, his beloved wife of 62 years. Together they built a family marked by love and mutual encouragement. They have four children and 12 grandchildren. To Jocelyn and the whole Watson family, I believe I can say that our community is deeply grateful that you shared John with Tasmania and with our country. I attended the funeral along with a large number of people in the Northern community, and time after time we heard instances and stories about people who had interacted with John, and the great faith that he’d earned from them. They placed their faith in him.

I will close by saying I pay a deep respect to John. I believe that all Tasmanians – and all Australians, (certainly every Australian with a superannuation account thinking of their future retirement) owe a great debt of gratitude to the late John Watson. On behalf of the people of Northern Tasmania and in this parliament, I say thank you, John: senator, councillor, mentor, friend. Thank you for showing that politics can be decent, careful and courageous.

Vale John Watson.

Members – Hear, hear.