I was saddened today to learn of the death of Sir Allen Fairhall, the former Defence Minister and Liberal Party Member for Paterson.
Sir Allen was one of the '49ers, that special group of parliamentarians who were elected in the 1949 poll that ushered in more than 20 years of Liberal-National governments.
He was the Minister for Defence from 1966 to 1969, Minister for Supply from 1961 to 1966 and Minister for the Interior and Works from 1956 to 1958.
Many people saw him as an aspirant for the leadership of the Liberal Party following the drowning of the then Prime Minister Harold Holt. He declined despite being a leading candidate and voluntarily retired in 1969.
He was knighted in 1970.
Although I did not serve in Parliament with him, I knew Sir Allen well. He was a forthright politician and a likeable person who was a very good Defence Minister and campaigner.
On behalf of Janette and myself and the Australian Government, I extend my deepest sympathies to Sir Allen's family and friends. I have extended the offer of a State Funeral to his family.