Senator O'CHEE —The passing of former Senator Tehan is a great tragedy for the National Party and also for his family but, most importantly, for the community to which he contributed so much. It is one of the hallmarks of people in the country that they tend to contribute more to their communities than people in the city. No finer example could be seen of this than the life of Tom Tehan. Before coming into this place he was a lawyer, he was a committed member of his church, he was a member of Rotary, he was involved in the Chamber of Commerce, youth organisations, elderly citizens organisations, anything which could further the lot of the community in which he lived. That is the mark of a great contributor: to give more than you take, to offer more than you receive. By any measure, Tom Tehan was a great contributor.

He was also a great contributor to the institution of parliament. I say that because I was minded to look at Senator Tehan's contribution to the Senate in the three years that he was here. Honourable senators might be interested to know that this robust debater spoke on everything from water hyacinth to skim milk powder, from unemployment through to the fruit canning industry in the Goulburn Valley in which he lived. That is what parliamentarians should be: contributors to the debate, contributors to the parliament and contributors to the future of our nation.

Isn't it interesting that in the 1970s when some people were arguing that the dairy industry in Victoria should be shut down, Tom Tehan had the courage to stand up and say, `No, the dairy industry in Victoria should not be shut down. The dairy industry in Victoria has a viable future.' The facts have vindicated that confidence and courage that Senator Tehan showed some 20 years ago.

It is also interesting to note that the scheme put forward by Tom Tehan for equalisation of prices was ultimately the solution that saved the dairy industry not just in Victoria but around Australia. It is the basis on which the Australian dairy industry now approaches Asia with courage and with conviction that we can produce the best product at the best price. If the dairy industry had not had Tom Tehan fighting for it, perhaps the future of the dairy industry would not be so rosy today. That was a mark of the character of the man. That was a mark of his courage. That is why his passing is such a great tragedy to all who knew him.

To Tom's family, his children and his grandchildren, go our deepest sympathies. It is very hard to lose a loved one. It is hard even more so to lose a loved one who has devoted so much of their own life to the life of others because you feel that sometimes you may have wished you had more time with them. I can understand that.

To Tom's family, all I can say is that his contribution to this place, to his community and to primary industry has meant a better future for many, many people. He will always be held in the greatest respect and the greatest esteem. I hope they will cherish that as much as their memories of their father and grandfather, to know that their lives were touched by a great man and that his contribution touched many others.