Retired Major General, Senator Jim Molan dies aged 72

Tributes pour in for the retired Major General, Liberal senator and architect of Operation Sovereign Borders after a two-year battle with cancer.

Jim Molan, the architect of the nation’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy and NSW Liberal senator, has died aged 72.

The former major general in the Australian Army passed away surrounded by family after a two-year battle with cancer.

A statement from Mr Molan’s family said he had suffered a “sudden and rapid” decline after Christmas before dying peacefully on Monday, surrounded by his family.

“With profound sadness, we share that following a sudden and rapid decline in health after Christmas. Jim died peacefully on January 16 in the arms of his family,” the statement read.

“He was many things: a soldier, a pilot, an author, a volunteer firefighter and a senator.

“Most of all, he was an adored husband, father, grandfather and brother.

“Our loss is immeasurable but we are confident in our memories of a full life courageously lived, devoted to family and in service of the country that he loved.

“We thank you for your thoughts and prayers and for respecting our privacy at this difficult time.”

Major-General Jim Molan, then Commander of the deployable joint force headquarters 1st Division, addresses logistic troops from 3rd Brigade Administrative Support Battalion. Picture: Jason Weeding.

Born in east Melbourne in 1950, Molan’s illustrious, 40-year career in the Australian Defence Force began after graduating from the Royal Military College in Duntroon in the 1970s, rising to serve as a colonel in Jakarta; and as a brigadier during his service in East Timor.

He was deployed to serve in Iraq as chief of operations for the coalition forces in 2004 after the US-led invasion. The three-star commander’s experience in the Middle East led him to write a book criticising Australia’s ability to engage in military conflict.

Molan was appointed an officer of the Order of Australia in 2000.

Major General Jim Molan with his Australian personal staff in Baghdad in 2004 during his deployment to the Coalition's Multinational Force Iraq Headquarters.

One of Molan’s first major roles in politics was his appointment by then opposition leader Tony Abbott to head the Coalition’s“Operation Sovereign Borders” campaign to stop asylum-seekers arriving by boat – what Abbott characterised as a “national emergency”

Mr Abbott’s ultimate success in toppling Kevin Rudd at the 2013 federal election, led to Molan becoming the architect of the nation’s controversial but ultimately successful border policy.

Molan defended the government’s use of offshore detention centres like Nauru and Manus Island to process refugees, telling Q&A in 2016 the facilities were “so far ahead of refugee camps throughout the world that it is not funny”.

In 2016, Molan was selected as a NSW Liberal senate candidate but in the unwinnable 7th position. Despite picking up the second highest number of first preference votes of the 12 Liberal and National Party candidates, Molan failed to be elected into parliament, what Mr Abbott described as a “tragedy for our country and for our party”.

Tony Abbott congratulates Jim Molan after the retired major general’s maiden speech in the Senate Chamber.

The eligibility crisis of 2017 saw Molan elected to the senate after Nationals senator Fiona Nash was forced to resign due to her dual British Citizenship. But his tenure in parliament appeared to be in jeopardy after he once again landed in an unelectable position on the Coalition’s 2019 senate ticket.

But the resignation of Arthur Sinodinos after his appointment as the Australian Ambassador to the US created another opening for Molan, who was appointed to serve the remainder of his Liberal colleagues six-year term.

On his third attempt – one year after being diagnosed with an “aggressive” cancer – Molan successfully navigated another NSW Liberal senate preselection, this time displacing conservative senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells.

Jim Molan with daughter Erin. Picture: Jonathan Ng.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Senator Molan, describing him on Twitter as a “man of conviction.”

“Jim Molan lived his life in service of our country. He was a man of principle and a politician of conviction. My condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and friends,” Mr Albanese wrote.

Jim Molan lived his life in service of our country. He was a man of principle and a politician of conviction. My condolences to his loved ones, colleagues and friends.

— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) January 16, 2023

Mr Abbott said Molan’s fight was “Never about him - always for the cause.”

“There are too few people in public life prepared to buck the prevailing orthodoxy,” Mr Abbott tweeted. “That’s why he will be so missed.”

Former prime minister John Howard expressed his “sorrow at the death of Senator Jim Molan” saying that he was an energetic and passionate Australian who had “given so much to his country.”

“His distinguished military career culminated in being Chief of Operations for Coalition Forces in Iraq, giving him oversight of a multi-national force of more than 300,000 personnel,” Mr Howard said.

“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 later wrote a book entitled ‘running the war in Iraq’. It contained the reminiscens and strongly held views of a talented military leader.”

“In more recent years, he served as a Liberal Senator from New South Wales, frequently offering perceptive comments on national security and related matters.

“He was a true local citizen. Amongst other things he was a volunteer firefighter and rescue helicopter pilot.”

“To his wife Anne, his daughters, Sarah, Erin and Felicity and son Michael, and his five grandchildren I send my condolences and those of my wife Janette.

“They have so much to be proud of.”

Coalition leader Peter Dutton said the nation has “lost a patriot”, describing Molan as “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,” he said in a statement.

“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.”

Mr Dutton said whether it was on the battlefield, in the political arena, or on the media stage, Senator Molan “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,” he said.

“In turn, you always had Jim’s undivided attention. He always displayed generosity to the views of others, even those with whom he disagreed.”

Mr Dutton said Molan played a “critical role” in Iraq in repelling insurgents and ensuring the security of Iraq’s transport and infrastructure as the Chief of Operations for the Coalition forces.

“During his time in politics, Jim was a champion for the Liberal cause, working hard to build the Party’s grassroots membership and never shying away from espousing the relevance of Liberal values for modern Australia,” Mr Dutton said.

“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.”

“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 Molan celebrates his birthday with his family amid his health struggles. Picture: Instagram.

Deputy Liberal Leader Sussan Ley said Molan “lived a life of consequence.”

“At every stage, in every walk of his extensive service to the Australian people, he was resolutely committed to his country,” she said.

“He led Australian soldiers on operations around the world, defending Australian values and our way of life.

“As a Senator, he championed important policies to strengthen Australia’s defence and national security.

“The Molan family have lost a loved one, the Parliament has lost an intellectual giant and the country has lost a great man.

“Our hearts break for the Molan family and we send Anne, Sarah, Erin, Felicity, and Mick our deepest condolences.”

Former prime minister Scott Morrison told Ben Fordham on the 2GB radio show on Tuesday “Australia has lost a great patriot”.

“It’s a sad morning most of all for all of the Molan family, for Anne and of course Erin and all the other kids and the grandkids,” Mr Morrison said.

“Today, I’m certain they knew (it) would come as Jim battled this cancer bravely for these last few years.

“But what an amazing legacy and what an amazing man all together.”

Mr Morrison pointed to the Senator’s achievements throughout his military and political service, but he said his greatest accomplishment was his family and the love he had for them.

“He was a great man and a great friend, but most of all he was a great dad and wonderful husband and they are great accomplishments in life,” Mr Morrison said.

Molan leaves behind his wife and four children.