Michael Beahan
Ms WATT (Northern Metropolitan) (09:57): I wish to mark my respect for the Honourable Michael Beahan AM, senator for Western Australia and a previous President of the Australian Senate. Michael sadly passed away last week after a battle with cancer. Michael was a proud educator both of students at high school and later in the WA Teachers Centre for Further Education. He was active in and came up through the Australian Teachers Union. He had a formidable parliamentary career and with it gave many years of service to the Australian community, and after Parliament he remained a strong voice within the Labor movement, especially at a local level. He was a proud and active member of the Brunswick branch. He loved the Labor Party, attended as many times as he could and embodied the values that make our movement so strong. But to me he will be remembered for his service and contribution to Merri Health, both as a board member and later as a patron. Not long after I entered this place Michael reached out and was so generous as to spend an afternoon with me discussing his time in politics and offering advice and counsel to me. In every conversation one had with Michael what was quickly apparent was his commitment to helping people, to working for something larger than himself. He will be sincerely missed. I send my sincerest condolences to his partner, Margaret, as well as his children, stepchildren and grandchildren. Vale, Michael Beahan.