Former US Vice President, the Late Richard Bruce Cheney

Mr HAWKE (Mitchell—Manager of Opposition Business) (13:30): I rise today to note the very sad passing of former US vice president Dick Cheney from complications relating to pneumonia and cardiovascular disease at age 84. A staunch supporter of the Australian-US alliance, I do so as perhaps one of the few who will mark his passing in this place, but I had a high opinion of the George W. Bush administration and his service to America and indeed the world. Former vice president Cheney enjoyed a meteoric rise within the notoriously burdensome US political staffing system. From a congressional internship to White House chief of staff and long-time supporter of presidents Forde, Rumsfeld and the George W. Bush administration's vice president. In line with that, he was seen most clearly in effect in Kuwait where, as secretary of defense, former vice president Cheney organised the US-led coalition, which, alongside Australia, liberated Kuwait from the evils of Saddam Hussein's regime.

Recognising his talent for foreign affairs and national defence, George W. Bush would go on to ask Cheney to serve as vice president in his administration, something that came to the fore at the most defining event of our time, the 9/11 attacks, which attacked America, attacked Australia and the attacked west. This was a great time to have serious figures that administration who understood the score and knew what to do about it. With the military campaigns that followed, there was controversy and difficulty with them of course, but it was good to have sound people in place at the head of America at such critical times understanding what needed to be done and why freedom needed today be defended.

On a personal note, I had the opportunity to work in the Bush administration— (Time expired)