Farewell Sir Rupert Hamer

Sir Rupert Hamer was Premier of the Australian state of Victoria from 1972 until 1981. Throughout his life he consistently promoted the themes of tolerance, equality, compassion, goodwill, consensus and bipartisanship. He promoted such liberal ideas as an Australian Republic, racial equality, environmental protection legislation, increased rights for women and adopted liberal positions on many key issues which affected the nation during his term of government. He was basically what you would call a Rockefeller Republican -committed to social justice, tolerance and compassionate government.

If there were still old-style conservatives such as Sir Rupert Hamer, I’d probably be a conservative. His humbleness, his bravery in the face of adversity, his commitment to consensus and conciliation over political partisanship, his compassion, his commitment to social justice and tolerance and his desire to create a better and brighter world serves as a model to all sides of politics throughout the globe.

Rest in peace Sir Rupert. You made a wonderful contribution to this world while you lived in it and you will be truly and genuinely missed. I wish we had more like you –the world would be a much better place

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The gentleman politician

March 24, 2004

Sir Rupert Hamer was an urbane figure admired by supporters of all parties, writes William Birnbauer.

Sir Rupert Hamer was the epitome of an era in which politics seemed more enlightened and gentlemanly. His interests were the arts, gardens and fountains rather than the crass art of scoring political points.
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He once said of his government: "We will be less materialistic and more interested in things of the spirit. All other development and growth is negated if we destroy the surroundings in which we live."
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He was one of the first politicians to understand and promote feminism and environmentalism. "There was a definite surge and I was able to share that... ," he recalled in an interview.
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http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/03/23/1079939653035.html