Parliamentary Speeches
DEATH OF THE HONOURABLE CHARLES BENJAMIN CUTLER, A FORMER DEPUTY PREMIER AND MINISTER OF THE CROWN ( 17/10/2006)
Mr DONALD PAGE (Ballina—Deputy Leader of The Nationals) [8.23 p.m.]: As the Deputy Leader of the New South Wales Nationals, I take this opportunity to express my condolences to the Cutler family on the loss of a wonderful servant and leader of our party, Sir Charles Cutler. I acknowledge the presence in the gallery tonight of Lady Dorothy Cutler, two of Sir Charles and Lady Cutler's children, Geoff and Neil, and Neil's partner, Louise. I also acknowledge the presence of a great friend of the Cutler family, Sir John Fuller, who was a close parliamentary colleague of Sir Charles Cutler. Unfortunately, two other children of Sir Charles and Lady Cutler, Joan and Ian, cannot be present tonight, but I extend my condolences to Joan and Ian as well.
I know more about Sir Charles Cutler by reputation than by anything else, but after he had retired I met him on several occasions, mainly at National Party conferences at either Dubbo or Orange. On those occasions we discussed various aspects of political history. Sir Charles knew my grandfather, Sir Earle Page, quite well; they shared a passion for education. We had some great yarns about what happened and why things happened from the 1920s to the 1960s in Australian and New South Wales politics.
By any measure Sir Charles Cutler was a towering figure in the history of the Country Party. He was the leader of the country party for 16 years—which is, in itself, a remarkable achievement. A person does not become leader and then remain a leader of a political party for 16 years unless that person has something special in the eyes of their colleagues and in the eyes of the electorate. Sir Charles was highly respected both inside and outside this place. As the honourable member for Orange for almost 29 years, Sir Charles clearly had the common touch. Anyone who is elected and re-elected 10 times as a local parliamentary representative obviously knows his electorate very well and enjoys the confidence of his constituents.
Lady Dorothy Cutler was at his side throughout his political career. She is a working patron of many organisations, as mentioned this evening over dinner. She was a very strong supporter of Sir Charles, a great confidant, an admirer and political ally. Those of us who have been in politics for some time—although I may be described as a new boy compared to Sir Charles as I have been a member of Parliament for approximately 18 years—all know that the strong support of a wife or husband enables a member, particularly in country electorates, to deliver for the people in a way that perhaps some other parliamentarians cannot. Many constituents of country electorates regard parliamentary representation as a team effort. I certainly know that Sir Charles was very fortunate to have such a wonderful ally, confidant and supporter in Lady Dorothy, and I pay tribute to her long and supportive role of Sir Charles.
Often political figures are remembered for the big issues with which they were associated or for the portfolios they held. While that is important and I do not seek to downplay that aspect at all, I have found that helping individuals in the community is what gives local parliamentary representatives a special type of personal fulfilment. Think of the number of constituents Charles Cutler must have helped during his 28 or more years as the honourable member for Orange. He would have helped thousands of individuals. For that alone I am sure his legacy will live on for a very long time in the Orange area. At the State level, Sir Charles was a pivotal player in the very successful Askin Government between 1965 and 1975. During that time Sir Charles was the Leader of the Country Party and Deputy Premier. He also was acting Premier and Treasurer twice during that period.
During that time he held the important portfolios of Education, Science, Local Government, Highways and Tourism—portfolios that Sir Charles Cutler specifically wanted and insisted on having as the Country Party leader. He worked tirelessly to improve country infrastructure and rural education. He was a champion of the regions and a strong advocate for country people. In many ways he was the quintessential Country Party leader—dedicated, visionary, courageous, shrewd and affable, but tough when he needed to be. But above all, he was a champion for country people. He is one of the few people in our party to hold the Education portfolio—I think the Hon. David Drummond might have been the other one. Many good things were achieved for country students when Sir Charles held the Education portfolio. Perhaps it is time The Nationals held that portfolio again.
The family of Sir Charles Cutler should be very proud of his achievements in government, as the honourable member for Orange and as an Australian who served his country with distinction. We have lost a passionate and intelligent advocate for regional New South Wales, but his legacy lives on in so many areas of public administration. I again offer my condolences to his family who are present in the gallery tonight. Sir Charles is gone, but he is certainly not forgotten.
