By Paul Sakkal
Late Liberal Party senator Jim Molan has been remembered as one of Australia’s most significant army generals since the second world war, and a stalwart of conservative politics whose work on border security and defence shaped Coalition policy.
The 72-year-old died of prostate cancer on Monday surrounded by his family, who in a statement paid loving homage to the former major general and head of coalition forces in the Iraq War, noting his health deteriorated rapidly after Christmas.
“Most of all, he was an adored husband, father, grandfather and brother,” the statement said. “Our loss is immeasurable.”
Senator Jim Molan during a Senate estimates hearing in 2019.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Tributes flowed from figures across the political spectrum, who emphasised the Melbourne-born politician’s dedication to service and the nation’s future.
Former prime ministers Tony Abbott and John Howard both noted that, as head of the joint forces in Iraq, Molan oversaw about 300,000 personnel, which Abbott argued was a higher number than any Australian general since the second world war.
Prime minister Anthony Albanese also paid tribute, describing Molan as “a man of principle and a politician of conviction. My condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and friends”.
Albanese and Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles – who said he felt deeply sad about the death of a gracious person with a shared passion for national security – said in a joint statement that Molan made a long-lasting contribution to the debate about Australia’s defence strategy, praising his military service.
Former prime mnister Scott Morrison with the late senator Jim Molan during a visit to meet NSW SES and NSW Rural Fire Service volunteers in 2018.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
“This was recognised in the awarding of the Distinguished Service Cross by the Australian government and the Legion of Merit by the United States government ... Senator Molan has been a fierce advocate,” they wrote.
After a 40-year career in the army – which included serving as chief of operations for coalition forces in Iraq and combat and leadership roles in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Germany and the US – Molan entered the Senate in 2017, took the casual vacancy when Arthur Sinodinos became the Ambassador to the US and after a bruising political battle for a winnable seat, was re-elected to a six-year term in 2022.
In 2013, Abbott appointed Molan as a special envoy for the government’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy. Dutton said on Tuesday that Molan was the architect of the controversial boat turn-back policy, which remains in place under the Albanese government.
“He really was the architect ... It helped break the people smugglers’ business model and stopped the deaths at sea. He was rightly proud of what we achieved,” Dutton said on 2GB on Tuesday.
His military service also drew criticism from opponents of the Iraq War.
In 2018, then-Greens leader Richard Di Natale said in Parliament: “Under the command of now-Senator Molan, a UN special rapporteur said coalition forces used hunger and deprivation as a weapon of war against the civilian population — a flagrant violation of international law.”
On Tuesday, Greens senate leader Larissa Waters deleted a tweet that said Molan deserved respect despite what she described as “philosophical” differences, after she was criticised by other users. Waters’ office did not respond to inquiries about the deleted post.
Senator Jim Molan with daughter Erin Molan in March last year.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
Molan left “an amazing legacy”, according to former prime minister Scott Morrison. “He was a very big man, Jim,” Morrison said. “He was big in stature, but he had big ideas he had big passions. My overarching memory of him is big Jim, he was amazing.”
Molan, appointed an officer of the Order of Australia in 2000, last year warned Australia could be in a military conflict with China in the next three to five years. He urged the government to significantly increase defence expenditure and boost Australia’s fuel reserves.
Dutton said Australia had lost a patriot and family man whose two books on national security issues would guide Australia’s political and military leaders into the future. “[He] was an admired politician of centre-right convictions,” he said in a statement.
Jim Molan launching Operation Sovereign Borders with Tony Abbott and Scott Morrison in 2013.
Howard recalled his conversations with Molan during the Iraq War: “Jim was a plain-speaking man. I recall that as Prime Minister, the then Major General Molan spoke very directly to me about the conduct of military operations in Iraq,” he said in a statement.
The Liberal Party will select a replacement to be appointed in Molan’s position. Under a loose agreement between the moderate and conservative wings, the likely frontrunner is senior conservative faction figure and Catholic Schools NSW boss Dallas McInerney.
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