Senator FAULKNER (5:38 PM) —I associate the opposition with this condolence motion that has been moved by the Leader of the Government. I think in any condolence motion it makes a very big difference to those who participate in it if you actually know well the former member or senator whose life in the parliament we are celebrating. In relation to Jim Cope, I did know him well. I had a very high regard for him indeed. He was, as the Leader of the Government has said, a product of inner metropolitan Sydney Crown Street public school. He probably did not have all the educational opportunities that he would have wanted. After leaving school, he worked as a glass tube fabricator and went on to become a senior official of the Glass Workers Union.

His history in the parliament in relation to those seats that he represented was a rather chequered one in one sense. He won the seat of Cook in Sydney in a by-election in 1955. After a redistribution he became the member for Watson and again, after a redistribution, became the member for Sydney. He held the seat of Sydney until 1975. I suppose it is fair to say that he had more luck after redistributions than some others in the House of Representatives have had.

Jim was a very staunch advocate for the underprivileged people in our community. He genuinely cared for the underprivileged and the unemployed. Throughout his period in the parliament, I think it is fair to say that his contribution was characterised by an immense loyalty to the Labor Party and the labour movement. That was a loyalty from which he never flinched. He was admired by many on both sides of parliament for a pretty quick wit and a dry sense of humour. He was often able to diffuse in his early days as Speaker some pretty ticklish situations with a very effective quip from the chair.

He will be remembered for his time as Speaker of the House of Representatives. The way things are in politics, I suspect as much he will be remembered for what occurred on 27 February 1975. I have spoken a little about that day in an earlier condolence motion today in the Senate. At the same time that joint sitting was taking place in the New South Wales parliament on 27 February there were some pretty amazing scenes down here in the Commonwealth parliament.

He served as Speaker from 1973 until 27 February 1975, and he resigned immediately as Speaker when he lost the support and confidence of his Labor colleagues on the floor of the House of Representatives. I think his approach during that time, his actions during that time, were typical of someone for whom the cornerstone of political life was absolute loyalty and commitment to the Australian Labor Party. I think so many of us appreciate that that is the case and would want to acknowledge that level of commitment over so very many years.

I had the opportunity last week to ring his wife, Myrtle, and have a chat to her on Jim's passing. Unfortunately, I was not able to go to his funeral service in Sydney because of parliamentary commitments here last week. But I know that very many of my colleagues in the Labor Party and many others from all sides of politics were able to celebrate the life of a very dedicated and committed servant of the Australian Labor Party. I think he was a real gentleman. I think he was a person who remained on friendly terms with almost all his colleagues—perhaps all his colleagues. He had this absolute commitment in terms of his loyalty to the party and those that he served with.

I discussed some old times with his wife, Myrtle, on the telephone. I know very many of us in the Labor Party are thinking of her at this time, her daughter, Bonnie, and other members of Jim's family. To Myrtle, Jim's family and friends, on behalf of the opposition in the Senate, I express our sincere condolences on the passing of this very loyal servant of the Australian Labor Party.