Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (12:04): I move

That this house expresses its sincere sorrow at the death of the Honourable Alan Henry Scanlan and places on record its acknowledgement of the valuable services rendered by him to the Parliament and the people of Victoria as member of the Legislative Assembly for the district of Oakleigh from 1961 to 1979, Minister of Health from 1973 to 1976 and Minister of Special Education from 1976 to 1979.

Before Alan Scanlan stood in this Parliament, he stood in a classroom. He trained at Melbourne Teachers’ College after studying at Melbourne High School and worked as a teacher for students with special needs. That beginning tells us a lot about what drew him to this place. Alan understood that opportunity starts early, that what happens in a classroom can shape the entire direction of someone’s life. It is no accident that education became central to his work here in Parliament. Alan Scanlan became the Minister of Special Education at a time when support for students with additional needs was improving in serious and lasting ways. In the 1970s expectations were shifting. Families wanted more inclusion, more recognition, more practical support for their children. Alan served during that moment of change. He also served as Minister of Health. Health and education are where government becomes real. These are where the decisions are felt most directly in homes, in schools, in hospitals. They require care, patience and a willingness to improve systems that affect people every single day. Alan too represented Oakleigh for 18 years – years when Victoria itself was growing, suburbs were expanding, new communities were forming and schools and hospitals had to grow with them.

While we may come from different political traditions, there was in his generation of Liberals a belief that public institutions were not a burden but a foundation, that investing in education and health was part of building a strong and stable Victoria. I cannot help but think of what he would have thought about our education system today, a system that is more inclusive, more responsive and more ambitious for all of our children than at any time in our history. He would see, building on the work that he had started, students with specialist needs supported not on the margins but at the centre of that approach. He would see that work of dedicated specialist schools, integrated classrooms and allied health professionals working alongside teachers in schools. For someone who began his working life in a classroom, who used that experience to build these foundations to help improve our state, that is progress that matters. I did not know Alan Scanlan personally, but I respect anyone who has given nearly two decades of their life to serving in this place, representing their community and making a difference for those kids who need that special assistance and support in our education system. Alan Scanlan gave that time to our state. On behalf of the government and the people of Victoria I extend our sincere condolences to his family, his friends and all who knew him. Vale, Alan Scanlan.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (12:08): I rise to add my remarks to this motion on behalf of the Liberal Party. Alan Scanlan was a member of Parliament, a minister and a true Liberal stalwart. I want to acknowledge Alan’s wife Shirley, who is here in the gallery today along with their niece Amanda. I just had a chat with Shirley earlier, and she was talking about how she met Alan in London when she was a teacher herself and, in her own description, very pasty. It was a winter’s day, and into the staffroom walks Alan, a big bronzed Australian man. He caught the attention of all the ladies in the room, and in her words, she won. They married in 1961. When I asked Shirley, ‘What did you love the most about Alan?’ she said, ‘He always made me laugh, and I loved him to the very end.’ Shirley herself has been a longstanding Liberal supporter and, as is the case with all the wives and husbands of politicians, has herself given much to the cause. We welcome you, Shirley, and we thank you for your own contributions as well as acknowledging the significant role you played during Alan’s time as a parliamentarian and a minister of the Crown.

I have spoken to many colleagues over the past few days who fondly remember Alan as both a very thoughtful man and one whose work has made a lasting impact on this state.

Born in Caulfield, Alan’s political service began early in life, serving as Victorian Young Liberals president between 1959 and 1961. As a former president of the Victorian Young Liberals myself, I can certainly attest to how leading the youth movement of the party is an early test of both conviction and character. But perhaps the more formative moments of Alan’s prepolitical career were the years spent teaching in Australia and abroad after studying at Melbourne Teachers’ College. Alan clearly understood how vital the role of the teacher is in shaping the learning outcomes of students. In his inaugural speech Alan had this to say about the importance of teachers:

… we are all aware of the fact that the quality and calibre of education is dependent upon those who teach …

Alan was a popular teacher at Oakleigh Primary School, which last year celebrated its 150-year anniversary. His significant connection to the community in Oakleigh was no doubt a factor in his long tenure as the local parliamentarian, serving as member for Oakleigh for 17 years.

Alan was also a man ahead of his time as an advocate for the education of children living with a disability. He graduated from Melbourne Teachers’ College as a specialist teacher, which was the parlance at the time for those who chose to work closely with students with a disability. In 1972 Alan reflected, in an interview with the Herald at the time, that teaching at the Kew Cottages in the early 1950s was a tough assignment. He mentioned open sewers and children dressed in sacks. The site of the Kew Cottages today is a lovely residential part of my electorate, but in Alan’s day it served as a residential and educational institution for children with intellectual disability, adjoining what was then known as the Kew asylum. Those were dark days, and it is important to reflect on how far we have come as a society since Alan was a teacher there some 75 years ago. A big part of the progress here in Victoria is the work done by the then Liberal government to drive a change in attitudes and public policy towards children with a disability. Alan was appointed as the first Minister of Special Education in 1976. He drove the establishment of special education schools across the state, whose architecture was explicitly designed to deinstitutionalise education of children with a disability. He also worked with the Commonwealth to establish a funding agreement to subsidise employers who provided jobs to students with a disability when they finished school. Back in the 1970s this would have been trailblazing policy, and I am proud to note it was made real under a Liberal government that Alan served in.

While I appreciate that there are varying opinions on the role of specialist schools, the coalition will always stand for parental choice about the educational setting that is right for their child, just as we did in Alan’s time, and we must always make sure that we listen to parents about what is best for their children and empower them with the choices they need to give their children the best start in life. I believe the contribution that Alan made to our thinking in this area is profound and long lasting.

Alan Scanlan entered Parliament at the age of 30, the youngest person to have been sworn in at the time. As well as Minister of Special Education, Alan also served as health minister for a few tumultuous years. The Age reported in 1976 that the criticism Alan came under while serving the Crown as health minister took a toll on him and his family. There is no doubt that public life can be challenging, both then and now. But as Alan’s family, friends and loved ones grieve his passing, they may take comfort in the fact that he truly changed lives and shaped the future of Victoria for the better. That is what it means to be a parliamentarian and to serve in this place. His is a legacy of service and of compassion.

Again, I want to acknowledge Shirley in the gallery and express our condolences to her at this time. On behalf of the Liberal Party, we remember Alan with gratitude, honour his contributions to this state and extend our condolences to those who knew and loved him. Vale, Alan Scanlan.

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (12:14): Over the summer break I was saddened to hear of the passing of the former member for Oakleigh Alan Scanlan on 22 December at the age of 94. Although I never had the opportunity to meet Alan, I am always conscious of the privilege of representing the same community and serving in the same Parliament as those who came before. Our local area has been shaped over many decades by people who were prepared to dedicate part of their lives to public service. Alan was one of those people.

As we have heard, Alan joined the Liberal Party of Australia in 1952 and, following a hiatus to teach in London, became involved in organisational leadership upon his return, serving, as the Leader of the Opposition said, as president of the Young Liberals division in 1959. From 1961 to 1979 he served as member for Oakleigh. Next year the seat of Oakleigh will celebrate 100 years of representation in this place. In that time there have been 10 people who have represented the seat of Oakleigh, with Alan having the distinct honour of being the longest serving of those – a total of 18 years.

During his time in Parliament Alan also served in several ministerial roles, as the Premier said, including health and disability. These were significant responsibilities at a time, again as the Premier said, when Melbourne’s south-east was growing and expanding, communities were having greater and greater expectations of their government and there were increasing demands for essential services and a growing care sector.

Closer to home, one of Alan’s most visible contributions still stands today, the Warrigal Road overpass. I do not know what the community would do without that overpass. It connects the northern and southern sides of Warrigal Road, therefore the north and south side of Oakleigh, across the Cranbourne–Pakenham rail line. It was delivered during his time as a local member and sits across from my electorate office, so I see it every day. For residents, it improves safety, eases traffic and strengthens connections within the community. It remains a lasting and very tangible reminder of his service and, can I say, also a proof point when I talk to people about sky rail and about the fact that these things are important because they do connect communities – grade separation in a different way.

After concluding his parliamentary career, Alan did not step away from community life. He later moved to Trinity Beach in Queensland, where he served as a local councillor. His continued involvement at a local level reflected a longstanding commitment to contributing where he lived – the very essence of public service. Public life often involves long hours and considerable sacrifice, not only for those elected but also for their families, and on this note I want to acknowledge Mrs Shirley Scanlan. I cannot say I know Mrs Scanlan, but I have met her a couple of times because she was heavily involved, from my outsider’s perspective, in the local Liberal campaigns. I remember one day – and I hope Mrs Scanlan does not object to me sharing a story, but it was memorable to me. Mrs Scanlan may not remember, but I was letterboxing a beautiful part of the electorate, Chadstone, and, if I recall, a very beautiful property that Mrs Scanlan came out of, and she made it very clear to me that she had loyalties to the Liberal Party, not to me. We always say in politics you believe the people who tell you they are not going to vote for you. So thank you, Mrs Scanlan, for making that very clear. And I moved on my merry way.

It is fitting that we acknowledge Alan’s decades of service and the contribution he made to both Oakleigh and the wider community. On behalf of the Oakleigh community I extend my sincere condolences to Alan’s loved ones. His life was marked by steady service and a practical focus on the wellbeing of the communities he represented. That legacy endures in the infrastructure around us and in the history of the electorate he served for nearly two decades. Vale, Alan Scanlan.

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (12:18): I rise today on behalf of the Nationals to honour the life and service of Alan Henry Scanlan, a man whose contribution to public life and to the people of Victoria deserves our sincere recognition and respect. Alan Scanlan served the Victorian Parliament as the member for Oakleigh from 1961 until 1979, and his career reflected a belief that government exists to serve people in practical and meaningful ways, particularly those most in need of our support.

Before entering public life, as we have heard, Alan worked as a schoolteacher and youth supervisor, and those early experiences clearly shaped his parliamentary priorities. He never lost sight of the importance of investing in young people and ensuring that education systems serve all members of society, including those who require additional support. I take up the story that the Leader of the Opposition referred to from the Herald in 1972, when Alan reflected on his time at Kew Cottages.

The additional quote that he mentioned was:

One teacher got bailed up by a kid with a knife, another caught a disease and all his hair fell out.

These appalling things influenced everybody who became a special teacher at that time.

That’s why when modern-day teachers grumble to me about conditions, I can’t get upset.

I offer that quote to the current Minister for Education in case it is useful for him to use in current circumstances. I suspect not, but it highlights that experience will shape what a member and a minister will go on to do. Alan also served as the Minister for Health between 1973 and 1976.

Within Parliament, Alan was known as a diligent and conscientious member. His service on committees, including the Standing Orders Committee and the Public Works Committee, demonstrated his willingness to contribute to the detailed and often less visible work that supports the effective functioning of this august institution.

As others have said, the member for Oakleigh in particular, following parliamentary service Alan continued to contribute to public life and community life. His involvement in local government, tourism promotion and community organisations in Queensland in particular showed that his commitment to service did not end when he left this place. Whether working to support local ratepayers, promote regional tourism or represent community interests, he remained dedicated to strengthening the communities in which he lived.

While today we reflect on Alan’s professional achievements, it is of course equally important to acknowledge the personal qualities that underpin a life of service. Public service, as we all know, particularly parliamentary service, demands personal sacrifice from both members and their families, and we all know the saying that we are volunteers, but our families are conscripts in this job. Therefore I acknowledge and thank Alan’s family, especially Shirley, for their support throughout his career and extend to them our deepest condolences.

Parliamentary institutions are shaped not only by landmark reforms or major legislation but by the dedication and collective will of individuals who give their time, energy and conviction to public service. Alan Scanlan was one such individual. His contribution helped strengthen Victoria’s education and health systems, and his commitment to community service continued long after he left this chamber. On behalf of the Nationals, I express our sincere gratitude for his service to the Victorian Parliament and to the broader community. We honour his legacy and we extend our deepest condolences to his family. Vale, Alan Scanlan.

Motion agreed to in silence, members showing unanimous agreement by standing in their places.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (12:23): I move:

That as a further mark of respect to the memory of the late Honourable Alan Henry Scanlan, the house now adjourns until 1:30 today.

Motion agreed to.

House adjourned 12:23 pm.

Sitting suspended 1:23 pm until 1:32 pm.