I was extremely sorry to learn of the death of my former Ministerial
colleague and Fraser Government Minister, The Hon Kevin Newman AO.
Kevin Newman gave years of service to Australia, initially as a soldier,
rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and serving both in Malaysia
and Vietnam.
He subsequently entered politics. His extraordinary victory in the
Bass by-election in 1975 is widely recognised to have signalled the
beginning of the end for the Whitlam government.
He became a Minister in the Fraser Government in December 1975, serving
in the portfolios of Repatriation, Environment Housing and Community
Development, National Development, Productivity, and Administrative
Services. Kevin Newman was the Minister responsible for the environment
when the decision was taken to prohibit sand mining on Fraser Island
He retired from Parliament in 1984. After his retirement, he continued
to pursue public service and was appointed President of the National
Trust (Tasmania), Chairman of the National Council of NationalTrusts,
member of the Board of the Menzies Foundation and a director of The
Stockman's Hall of Fame.
In December 1997 he was appointed Chairman of the Old Parliament House
Governing Council, a position he held until his death.
Kevin was extremely well liked and respected by all of his colleagues.
He showed great devotion to Australia and to the Liberal Party. He
also fought strongly for the legitimate interests of Tasmania.
On behalf of the Government and the Liberal Party, I extend my deep
sympathy to Kevin Newman's widow, Senator the Hon Jocelyn Newman Minister
for Family and Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime
Minister for the Status of Women, their children, Kate and Campbell
and their grandchildren.
A state funeral for the late Hon Kevin Newman will be held on Thursday,
22 July at 11.30 am in the Chapel of the Royal Military College, Duntroon.