Tuesday, 19 March 2024

Condolences

Hon. Digby Glen Crozier

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:04): I move:

That this house expresses its sincere sorrow at the death, on 26 February 2024, of the Honourable Digby Glen Crozier and places on record its acknowledgement of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and the people of Victoria as a member of the Legislative Council for the electoral province of Western from 1973 to 1985, member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Portland from 1985 to 1988 and Minister of Tourism and Minister for State Development and of Decentralisation from 1976 to 1978, Minister of State Development, Decentralisation and Tourism from 1978 to 1979, Minister for Local Government from 1979 to 1981 and Minister of Mines and Minister for Minerals and Energy from 1981 to 1982.

It is a rather difficult but unique moment for me to be able to rise and move this condolence motion for my father, the Honourable Digby Crozier. I thank the Leader of the Government for giving me the privilege of doing so. It was something I never wanted to have to do, but at the age of 96.9 years, a huge age, Dad’s time had come. He was of an era that served and gave back. So here I am, and with the indulgence of the house I will try and capture Dad’s wonderful life and his contribution to this Parliament and to the broader community in the next few minutes.

Dad was born in London on 16 May 1927 to my grandparents Nancy and John – or as he was known, ‘Towser’ – Crozier. My grandfather had studied medicine and was working in the UK when Dad was born. They returned home to Australia in 1932 and bought a property north of Casterton, one of the most beautiful parts of Victoria, with undulating hills and fabulous red gums. It was a place which we all loved, and after a hectic time here in Spring Street, Dad would return home and turn his hand to whatever needed to be done on the farm. Dad not only enjoyed the physical work of the farm and working in the natural surrounds but was also very much part of the local community. He had a wonderful intellect, was a great raconteur, had a great sense of humour, was great fun and had a magnificent sense of duty that was instilled in him as a young man by his headmaster Sir James Darling, a man he had enormous admiration for. That sense of duty saw him serve his country and community in a variety of ways.

It was in his final year of school at Geelong Grammar and at the age of 17½ that Dad enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy. Dad was mobilised, and in the final stage of his training World War II thankfully ended. He was then posted to the HMAS Warrego. Had the war not ended, the plan was for the Warrego to be deployed as part of the fleet invasion of Japan. Dad was discharged from the navy and went home to Barnoolut before he attended Cambridge University, receiving a master of arts. It was Manning Clark, the great Australian historian, who taught Dad at school and said in a school report that he was very able with a pen and had a great talent for literary subjects. Dad was a great wordsmith, had a wonderful turn of phrase, could craft a brilliant speech and loved to recount anecdotes, stories and speeches from leaders long gone.

Throughout his schooling and university days he had a great interest in local and international politics, and 80-plus years later he still had an interest in all things political, whether that be state – which of course he had an extra interest in – national or international politics. Not only would he read the daily newspapers, but he was also an avid reader. He had a huge interest in history, military history and the founding values of our democratic institutions. Dad, until he went to hospital, had by his chair two books he was reading. He had just finished Churchill:Walking with Destiny and was reading Michelle Grattan’s Australian Prime Ministers. In Australian Prime Ministers his bookmark was in the chapter on Sir Robert Gordon Menzies, a man Dad had the privilege of meeting and had great admiration for.

After Dad returned from Cambridge in 1949 he, like so many Australians, joined Menzies’s Liberal Party. His interest in politics was only heightened following a trip to the US in the early 1950s, when he and a couple of friends visited the Massachusetts Senate and heard a young John F Kennedy speak. Dad was on an agricultural tour signed off by the then Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies, so it was somewhat fortuitous that he had spent some time in Massachusetts. Dad recalled how this great striking man had such extraordinary charisma and spoke so passionately on a bill that was not all that interesting – something about water policy. But it was the way JFK carried himself that was so powerful, and it certainly left a lasting impression on Dad.

It was not long after this trip that through Dad’s association in the UK with Colonel John Slim of the 22nd SAS Regiment UK, who later became Lord John Slim, together they moved to establish the SAS regiment here in Australia. There was a lot of letter writing and various correspondence back and forth to Canberra, but unfortunately they were not successful with that endeavour at the time. It was also unfortunate that Dad never kept copies of that correspondence. But Lord Slim, who attended a dinner in Perth a few years ago and who was well into his 80s, invited Dad over to hear him speak, and he mentioned Dad and what they both tried to achieve. It was not until 1964 that the SAS regiment in Australia was finally formed.

On the farm, Dad was involved in the CFA and was the first lieutenant of the Wando Bridge fire brigade for many years. He recalled how as a young man in his teens they fought the 1939 Black Friday fires near Casterton. In 1954 he joined the CMF, the Citizens Military Forces, or what is known today as the Army Reserve. He retired in 1970 with the rank of captain.

Dad also served as a councillor of the Glenelg Shire Council from 1965 to 1973 and was shire president from 1967 to 1968. In 1968 Dad started his foray into state politics. Amongst a field of 17 candidates he won preselection to stand for the seat of Western Province in a by-election. He was not successful at the time, but that did not deter him. In 1973, after finally being successful, he entered this place as a member for Western Province. In 1976 he was appointed by Premier Sir Rupert Hamer – or Dick Hamer, as he was affectionately known – as Minister for State Development and of Decentralisation and Minister of Tourism.

Dad was certainly passionate about getting the best for regional and rural Victoria and was not afraid to make decisions that could be controversial. He was of the view that if you did not decentralise, then the central power would remain within the city and country Victorians would be left behind. In 1976 he said:

Currently, Victoria has 70 per cent of its population situated with only 2 per cent of the State’s land area. Our lifestyle is one of the most urbanised in the world. Admittedly, Melbourne does not suffer the severe slum blight evident in some other large cities of the world, but Melbourne’s rapid growth has still produced disadvantages such as a backlog of uncompleted community services, housing shortages, inadequate open space and severe transport problems.

How things change but stay the same. He went on to say:

Surveys show that many of Melbourne’s residents would consider Victoria’s country towns and cities a preferable alternative if employment were available.

Accordingly, we need decentralisation to achieve a better way of life for all Victorians wherever they may wish to choose to live. This is an obligation which the State Government is meeting by providing and maintaining a livelihood for people in country areas.

During this period Dad was also deputy leader of this place in government. In 1979 he held the portfolio of local government, having to make some pretty hard decisions, including one about the Melbourne City Council. In 1981 he was appointed Minister for Minerals and Energy and Minister of Mines, until the Thompson government came to an end in 1982. Again, these portfolios were not without controversy in the eyes of some, but Dad knew that if the regions were to be successful, grow and provide opportunity, they needed industry, and for industry to succeed they needed energy.

Energy policy and climate change debate featured regularly in the Crozier household. Anyone who knew Dad knows he had very particular views on these two subjects, and they were passionately discussed with anyone who would listen. Dad was incredibly well informed on energy policy and could debate the case endlessly about the need for cheap energy, the difference between nuclear fusion and fission, his views on anthropogenic emissions and, as he called it, ‘the science’. Renewables also featured in debate. He did not disregard renewables – far from it. He embraced the innovation, and that is why we had solar panels at the farm in 1990 used to heat our hot water. He was a forward thinker and way ahead of his time in so many ways. But he was also a pragmatist and a realist as to what could be done and how.

Dad enjoyed the debates within this place and had great respect for a number of those opposite. Jack Galbally, who was Labor’s leader in the Council, Dad described in particular as having a brilliant mind. They would both enjoy from time to time some very witty repartee and banter. It was very much a different place then, with long debates, many late nights, discussions in the bar and, as he would say, thankfully no social media. Dad was amazingly computer literate but would often comment about how different it was for us as MPs given that we are connected to the job 24 hours a day through mobile phones, emails, social media and a fast-paced media cycle. He had a special relationship with Pat McNamara, the Leader of the Nationals towards the end of his term, where Pat told me he and Dad would work on amendments together on bills and get them through their respective party rooms and then through the Parliament, as in those days the Liberals and Nationals had a majority in this place. So together they literally formed their own coalition. On losing government in 1982 Dad moved to the shadow portfolio of police and emergency services. After his friend Don McKellar retired from the seat of Portland, Dad was approached to stand and run in that seat, which he did in 1985, before leaving the Parliament in 1988 when former Premier Denis Napthine took it over.

Dad went back to the farm, which he was so happy to do, working alongside John and Will and looking to further develop and improve our farm Kalabity, a place that Mum and Dad both developed from scratch, where we grew up and where political discussions and Dad being away for most of our childhood was the norm. His interest in politics did not cease, and in the late 1980s, with high interest rates and the collapse of the wool floor price, many farmers, including us, were feeling the pressure. Given his previous experience and understanding of government, he was appointed as a member of the Australian Wool Innovation wool taskforce and was an active member of the Victorian Farmers Federation.

In 1996 former Premier Jeff Kennett appointed Dad as commissioner for Glenelg council at a time when reform in Victoria was badly needed. His public life ended after that appointment concluded, but his interest in what was happening at a local, national and international level never did. Much of what Dad achieved was never reported, but it was recognised by the communities he represented. He understood the responsibility of government, and he recognised the importance of this place.

So many people have contacted us with wonderful descriptions and memories of Dad. Overwhelmingly, what so many have said of Dad was that he was the ultimate gentleman, and he was. His service to this state and our country is something that our family are immensely proud of: my brother John; my sister Annabel; his grandchildren Kate, Lachie, Sam, Charlie, Tom, Harry and Freddie; Gus, Sara and Prue, who are all very much part of our family; and of course Mum and Will, who worked closely with him and were so proud of all he achieved. Dad will be greatly missed by all those that knew and loved him, but his many achievements and legacy and the memories will remain.

Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:17): It is an honour to support Ms Crozier’s motion today. On behalf of the government I convey our sincere condolences to Ms Crozier and her family but also take the opportunity to acknowledge the enormous contribution of Mr Digby Crozier to the state of Victoria. As we have heard, from serving in the navy, as a councillor, as a member for Western Province and then as the member for Portland, this is an enormous legacy that he leaves to the Victorian community. Ms Crozier’s contribution was beautiful and personal, and we really got an insight into the man that her father was. He would be very proud of you. It was lovely to hear you speak of how proud you were of him, and I am sure he would reciprocate that. His contributions to public life will leave an enduring mark on those he served and particularly his connection to his local community, which we heard really shone through. I do pay my respects to the Crozier families; obviously their connection to the Parliament runs deep across multiple generations. On behalf of the government, I again extend my condolences and commend Ms Crozier for her heartfelt contribution and indeed for carrying on the legacy of her father in this place.

Samantha RATNAM (Northern Metropolitan) (12:19): I rise on behalf of my Greens colleagues to offer our sincere and deep condolences to Ms Crozier and her family and community on the passing of her beloved dad and revered family member, the Honourable Digby Crozier. It is clear that he led a life of service in local government, the state Parliament and state government – in Parliament between 1973 and 1988, holding a range of portfolios and shadow portfolios. It is clear he was revered as a good friend, a loyal colleague and a loved family member, and it is a testament to the legacy of a life that this affection is reflected so strongly in those who speak about him that knew him so well. Perhaps it is our most enduring legacy: if we live a full life to where we are revered as beloved, it is perhaps the greatest achievement that we can all hope to achieve. Our best wishes go to you, Ms Crozier, your family and your community on the passing of your beloved dad.

David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:20): I am honoured to associate myself with this motion, and I think the whole of the Liberal Party and the National Party are too. I concur with the Leader of the Government’s point that Ms Crozier’s contribution was heartfelt and unique in the sense that she obviously has that deep connection across the parliaments, across the time, to this place through her father.

I did not know Digby Crozier well – I only met him a small number of times and briefly – but his reputation was very well known and very well understood. He was a gentleman, as has been said; a person of intellect; and a person with whom people in the party and more broadly in the community could engage. His contribution at the community level, at council, his military service, his international view through his education and his important contribution as a minister in both chambers of the Parliament as both the member for Portland and a member for Western Province is a very unusual heritage and something that I think the family can and should be very proud of. Ms Crozier should also be very proud of that contribution. As she singled out, energy policy was a particular area of interest of his. The work that was done to strengthen Victoria’s energy position through those years in the late 1970s and early 1980s is something that will stand as testament to his work and the work of the Hamer government and the Thompson government, but the Hamer government in particular.

Digby Crozier was a person who was prepared to engage across the Parliament, a person who was prepared to work with all sides of this chamber and the community to achieve better outcomes. I say to the Crozier family: I think you can be particularly proud. There is a heritage here, and Georgie continues that with great erudition. What will stand as testament for Digby is his very strong principled position, his strong engagement across the community and the Parliament and his enormous contributions on some key policy areas, particularly energy policy. All on this side are very honoured to have had any association with him, as a number of us did, however brief that may have been.

Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (12:23): I am pleased on behalf of the Nationals to put my name to the condolence motion honouring a former minister in both this place and the Assembly, the Honourable Digby Crozier. We pass on our sincere condolences to his broader family, to son John and daughters Georgie and Annabel and to his grandchildren and friends who are here today, and of course he is reunited with his wife and son. I suspect only a handful of people know how Georgie feels today, because it is most unusual to follow in the footsteps of a parent who has been in Parliament, and it is a unique position that they had been both in the upper and lower houses.

From reading and doing a little bit of research on your father, Georgie, going into the navy and having that strong discipline and intelligence to carry forth a career not only as a local councillor but as a minister in both this place and the Assembly is no mean feat. I reflect on his love and understanding of the regions and his significant expertise in holding down those very important portfolios of state development, decentralisation and tourism; local government; and minerals and energy. And of course he was also Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Services. In doing a little bit of homework on Mr Crozier, I read an article from the Sunday Telegraph. This captures a lot of things that we also feel, but he said it very well. It is headed ‘The way I cope with the critics’, referring to the criticism that we receive in this place. It reads:

Mr Crozier, the most maligned politician in the state, this week exclusively revealed his secret for survival.

This malignment was due to the fact that he was catapulted into the spotlight for sacking the Melbourne City Council in his portfolio of local government. There are some questions and discussions that we might be able to have on that at a later stage. The article goes on to say:

His no-nonsense approach to politics has ruffled feathers in the garden State but earned the respect of supporters and opponents alike.

It quotes Digby as having said:

Politics is by its nature hard, and … long running controversy must take some personal toll.

He talked about the way he kept fit as being a really important focus for mental health, but also he talked about balance:

This helps to balance the constant pressure public life can impose. My wife has been wonderfully supportive and the kids have learnt to accept the situation but they all make very real sacrifices.

I want to leave parliament in good health after accomplishing projects for the people and I intend to do so.

In summing up, I had a conversation with Pat McNamara – and a conversation with Pat McNamara involves a lot of listening, which I did very dutifully. This is the understanding I learned about Digby: Digby Crozier was a gentleman, a thoroughly decent person, well spoken, well dressed and an MP who enriched Parliament. When agreements were made, they were honoured. He was a man who represented and contributed to his local community, and as a minister of the Crown in state Parliament, one for others to emulate. He was a man who set the bar high in who he was, in how he conducted himself and in how he represented his constituents and Victoria. And as a minister he always kept his word.

In conclusion, my father died over 30 years ago, and when I stand in a place where I know he stood, it gives me comfort and connection to his memory. Georgie, your father – Crozier family, your father – stood in this place. He debated in this place, and he passed legislation that thousands of Victorians benefited from. I hope that the sense of his presence in the walls and in the columns gives you comfort and connection over the many months ahead.

Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:27): I too rise today to speak on the condolence motion for the late Honourable Digby Glen Crozier, former state MP, government minister, farmer, veteran and proud Liberal.

Digby will be remembered as a man who lived a life of service. At age 18 he enlisted and served in the Royal Australian Navy, and in 1954 he served in the Australian military forces. From 1965 to 1973 he was a councillor in the Glenelg shire, serving as its president from 1967 to 68, followed by 15 years of distinct public service in the Victorian Parliament as a member for Western Province from 1973 to 1985 and later as the member for Portland from 1985 to 1988. Digby served in several ministerial portfolios, notably as Minister for Minerals and Energy, Minister of Mines, Minister for Local Government and Minister of Tourism. Digby was a man ahead of his time. In 1983 he warned about the harms of prohibition of the nuclear industry, because he was worried about limiting future energy options. He was absolutely right.

Digby was a highly respected and widely regarded member of the Victorian Parliament and an outstanding citizen of western Victoria. I was honoured to know him, and my husband Stewart and I send our condolences and deepest sympathy to my parliamentary colleague Georgie Crozier and the broader Crozier family and to his many friends and colleagues who will mourn his passing.

The PRESIDENT: To indicate the motion being agreed to, I ask members to signify their assent by rising in their place for 1 minute’s silence.

Motion agreed to in silence, members showing unanimous agreement by standing in their places.

The PRESIDENT: As a further mark of respect, the house will adjourn for 1 hour.

Sitting suspended 12:31 pm until 1:33 pm.