PM Transcripts

PRIME MINISTER]
FOR, MEDIA TUESDAY, 13 OCTOBER, 11981
CONDOLENCE MOTION FOR THE HON. PATRICK JOHN KENNELLJY
Mr. Speaker, I move: " that this House expresses its deep
regret at the death on 12 October of the Hon. Patrick John Kennelly,
a Senator from Victoria from 1953 to 1971 and Deputy Leader of.
the Opposition in the Senate from 1956 to 1967, places on record
its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service
and tenders its profound sympathy to his widow and family in
their bereavement".
Pat Kennelly had a lifetime association with the Labor movement.
Before entering Commonwealth Parliament, he served for fourt~ een
years in the Victorian Legislative Council as Member for
Melbourne West, eventually becoming leader of his Party in
that Chamber.
From 1945 to 1947 he was the Commissioner of Public Works and
Minister in Charge of Electrical Undertakings in the Labor
Government. In 1945 he became the Federal Secretary of the
Australian Labor Party, a position he retained for eight years.
In 1953 he was elected to-the Senate.
During his 18 years as a* ehatr. he served on several
Parliamentary Committees including the Committee of Disputed
Returns and Qualificatioris, and the Joint Committee on
Constitutional Review. He was also temporary Chairman of
Committees from 1968.
Senator Kennelly was Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the
Senate from 1956 to 1967. Pat Kennelly served his nation, his
State, the Senate, and the Labor movement with distinction.
He was unstinting in his support for his Labor ideals and a
vigorous defender of his Party's policies.
When I entered Parliament in 195E1?,-Pat Kennell~ y had already
won wide respect for his politica,. 1 skills. While Pat Kennel. ly
served in the Senate and I in the House of Representatives, I
remember him as embodying many of the qualities of the
old-time Labor movement.
He will be remembered as one of the most influential, dedicated
and colouful figures in the history of the Labor Party.
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