‘An optimist about humanity’ – tributes for respected senator Jim Molan

Federal parliamentarians from across the political spectrum commemorated Liberal senator Jim Molan as a patriot, soldier and family man.

Jim Molan.

Federal parliamentarians from across the political spectrum commemorated Liberal senator Jim Molan as a patriot, soldier and family man in tributes in both houses on the first parliamentary sitting day of the year.

Condolence motions were moved in both the House of Representatives and the Senate on Monday to remember the life of Molan after he served for four decades in the military and as a senator for the people of NSW.

Molan died peacefully last month at the age of 72 after a battle with prostate cancer. Anthony ­Albanese moved a condolence ­motion in the House of Representatives ahead of question time, ­remembering the late army general for his passionate advocacy for the defence force and deep engagement with national security.

The Prime Minister said Molan always spoke with “clarity, depth of feeling and weight that can only come with experience” and thanked him for his devotion to democratic ideals.

“Those of us on this side of politics may not have always agreed with his views but we never doubted the strength or the sincerity of his convictions,” Mr Albanese said.

“He had, and remains having, my utmost respect. May he rest in peace.”

Peter Dutton said Molan had cherished his roles as a father, a husband, a grandfather and brother, and told the love story of how he met his wife, Anne.

As he spoke, members of the senator’s family watched the condolence motion from the lower house’s gallery, including his daughter and Sky News broadcaster Erin Molan.

Mr Dutton said Molan considered himself an ordinary Australian but had led an extraordinary life, saying he was at the centre of so many pivotal world events.

“The family man, the soldier, the diplomat, the adviser, the politician, the author and the commentator,” Mr Dutton said.

“There was an interplay in all that he was. He was an optimist about humanity. That speaks volumes about the mettle of his character and the kindness of his heart.”

In the Senate, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Molan left a legacy of professionalism, dedication and service. “Australia owes a debt of gratitude to Jim Molan for his dedicated service to our country in our defence force, through public policy and in our parliament,” she said.

Opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham said the nation had lost a “patriot” who was always dedicated to the safety and security of the nation.

“Australia has lost a patriot in the best sense of that word and a serviceman who demonstrated an unwavering dedication to the safety and security of our nation.”

Born in 1950, Molan entered the army in 1968, graduating from Duntroon in 1971, and went on to serve in the military for 40 years, reaching the rank of major general. He was deployed to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor, Malaysia, Germany, the US and Iraq before retiring in 2008.