Senator FAULKNER (Leader of the Opposition in the Senate)(9.35 a.m.) —On behalf of the opposition and opposition senators, I support the condolence motion that has been moved by the Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate (Senator Alston). We express our regret at the death of Mac Holten, a former Country Party minister in the House of Representatives. The opposition offers its sincere condolences to Mac Holten's family.

As Senator Alston has indicated, Mac Holten was elected to the House of Representatives as the member for Indi, in Victoria, in 1958 and he held that seat for nearly 20 years. He had a parliamentary career that was very meritorious indeed. He really did devote those two decades of his life to serving the people of Indi, to representing them very effectively here in the parliament and making sure that Canberra heard of their concerns.

During his time in government, he served as the Minister for Repatriation from 1969 until 1972, and as Minister Assisting the Minister for Trade and Industry from 1971 until 1972. He also served the parliament well and effectively in a significant number of parliamentary committees.

In 1980, as we have heard, he was appointed as the Administrator of Christmas Island and served in that role for a couple of years. He played a major role in encouraging local participation in island affairs. During my time as Minister for Sport and Territories, I heard of the contribution that he made while he undertook those important responsibilities at Christmas Island. On behalf of the opposition in the Senate, I offer our most sincere sympathy and condolences to Mac Holten's family.