Statement on the passing of Senator Jim Molan
It is with great sadness that we received
the news of the passing of Senator Jim Molan AO DSC.
Our nation has lost
a patriot, a decent an honourable man and above all and most importantly an
incredible family man.
On behalf of the
Coalition, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the loves of his life,
especially his devoted wife Anne, daughters Sarah, Erin and Felicity, son
Michael, and five grandchildren.
Jim was a
distinguished soldier and military commander, an admired politician of
centre-right convictions, and a perceptive author and respected public
commentator who expressed his views with courage.
Whether it was on
the battlefield, in the political arena, or on the media stage, Jim was admired
for his discernment, leadership and unfailingly courteous manner.
Whether you knew Jim
or met him for the first time, he drew you in immediately with his warm and
captivating quality. In turn, you always had Jim’s undivided attention. He
always displayed generosity to the views of others, even those with whom he
disagreed.
Jim joined the
Australian Army upon finishing school. His military career saw him swiftly rise
through the ranks to ultimately become a Major-General. He performed a variety
of combat and leadership roles, serving in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East
Timor, Malaysia, Germany, the United States and finally in Iraq.
It was there, as the
Chief of Operations for the Coalition forces, that he played a critical role in
repelling insurgents and ensuring the security of Iraq’s transport and
infrastructure. For his efforts, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
and the Legion of Merit by the Australian and US governments respectively,
adding to the Order of Australia he received for his earlier service in
Indonesia and East Timor.
Following the
Coalition’s return to government in 2013, Jim was appointed by Prime Minister
Tony Abbott as a Special Envoy. He was an architect of Operation Sovereign
Borders and instrumental in helping to break the people smugglers business
model, prevent further tragic deaths of asylum seekers at sea, and restore the
integrity of Australia’s maritime security.
Jim entered politics
as a Senator for New South Wales in 2017. His wealth of military experience and
security knowledge saw him serve on the Joint Standing Committees for Foreign
Affairs, Defence and Trade as well as Migration.
During his time in
politics, Jim was a champion for the Liberal cause, working hard to build the
Party’s grass roots membership and never shying away from espousing the
relevance of Liberal values for modern Australia.
Always giving back
to his community, Jim was a volunteer firefighter and rescue helicopter pilot.
He did much to advance research and awareness in the areas of stillbirths,
online safety and prostate cancer.
Never tiring, Jim
balanced his political responsibilities with those of being a highly
sought-after commentator on defence and national security issues. He regularly
appeared on Sky News and podcasts, often taking the opportunity to discuss the
importance of Australia developing a comprehensive National Security Strategy.
It was this
long-held view which he wrote about in the final chapter of his most recent
book, Danger
On Our Doorstep – a candid commentary on the challenges presented
by China’s rise and military build-up. Just like his earlier book, Running
the War in Iraq, Jim’s prose shows the mind of a military man – one
with tactical, operational and strategic insights. Jim’s writings and analysis
will continue to inform and guide politicians and national security
professionals well into the future.
In all that he did,
Jim fought hard, decently and well. Those who knew him admired the spirit and
bravery in which he battled prostate cancer following a shock diagnosis in
2021. Sadly, this was the one battle which finally defeated the stoic Jim
Molan.
Jim was immensely
popular and respected by his colleagues and the broader Liberal Party family. I
know like me they will be grieving today and my thoughts and prayers are also
with them.
May he rest in
peace.