Sir Charles looks to value-add

Sir Charles Court was happy to impart some observations on his extensive political career in an address to the Liberal Party’s Leaders’ Forum gala dinner for his 95th birthday celebration.

Among those at the dinner, held at the Perth Convention Exhibition Centre last week, were Prime Minister John Howard and media magnate Kerry Stokes.

Sir Charles opened with a dry observation about whether those who organised the party doubted he would make it to 100 years of age; if not, he said, why celebrate a 95th birthday?

He then reflected on the 29 years he spent in the state parliament and was quick to draw analogies between his time in office and the issues facing his antecedents.

Sir Charles referred to the 16 years he spent as deputy to Sir David Brand, before becoming premier himself, and made a pointed reference to his own loyalty, declaring that there should be more of it these days.

Sir Charles also reflected on the mining boom that occurred during his time in parliament, and criticised the current policy of a fly-in, fly-out workforce.

He related that, during his time in office, the state had no money to build extensive infrastructure, and instead formed large-scale state agreements with mining developers to assume responsibility for infrastructure.

“These were the vehicle through which we obtained the development and, in particular, infrastructure of world standards, including railways, towns and ports” Sir Charles wrote in his speech notes.

“I am proud of the standards we set and the leading world-class, high-tonnage, heavy haulage railways the developers provided.”

He lamented the discontinuation of this policy after his party lost office, and suggested that it had contributed to the current skills and infrastructure shortage, as well as removing the foundation for defence and economic stability provided by such investment. 

“My greatest disappointment is that as part of such expanded programs, there have not been pre-negotiated arrangements for the adding of value, without which there is no real future for our country,” he wrote.

Sir Charles also reminded guests of the significant cultural investment by his government, including an art gallery, the restoration and modernisation of the State Library, the restoration of His Majesty’s Theatre and an emphasis in education policy on music and cultural activities within schools. 

He acknowledged the importance of the ‘people factor’ in policy making, and said this focus underpinned the need to establish mining as a long-term industry.

With regard to the current domestic energy debate, Sir Charles emphasised the need to prioritise security and long-term standards for Australians over rapid economic growth. 

“Of course, we need to be good world neighbours and make some of our resources available, but never beyond the point to endanger the future security and quality of our own country” he wrote.

Sir Charles also touched on the federalism issue by relaying an anecdote about a state premiers and Loan Council meeting, during which Sir Robert Menzies was on the receiving end of much criticism by the states.

Sir Charles reflected that Sir Robert had said: “Six state premiers drive me up the wall, but I would not have it any other way because it is our insurance against dictatorship.”

Sir Charles closed by emphasising that government and the private sector should recognise the people factor in their decision making, and make policies with integrity and farsightedness.