Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:03): I move:

That this house expresses its sincere sorrow at the death, on 22 December 2025, 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 a member of the Legislative Assembly for the electoral district of Oakleigh from 1961 to 1979, and as Minister of Special Education from 1976 to 1979 and Minister of Health from 1973 to 1976.

I just want to make a few remarks on behalf of the government. I of course offer my condolences on the passing of Alan Henry Scanlan to his family and all those who knew him. His career started as a teacher – a teacher who focused on assisting children with a disability. It was an early career path that would set him on a pathway to a broader contribution to improve the lives of children with a disability. He was a long-serving member for the Oakleigh district, later serving as cabinet secretary and as Assistant Minister for Education before having carriage of the portfolios of health and, as I said, later special education.

The later appointment was noteworthy, as it was the first time in this state that a minister had been appointed specifically to improve the educational support available to children with a disability, which included the beginning of special schools as we know them today. This work is to be commended of course for improving the lives of children who have received an enhanced education in a system that much better caters to their needs and has inclusion at its heart. We thank Mr Scanlan for his contribution to this place and to the state of Victoria and offer our condolences on his passing. I understand that there are members of the house that did know him, and I will allow time for them to speak.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:05): I likewise join with the Leader of the Government to pay tribute to the Honourable Alan Scanlan. It is an honour today to pay tribute to the life and service of the Honourable Alan Scanlan, who served this Parliament and the state of Victoria for so long and with distinction. Alan was born on the 23 June 1931 in Caulfield. He attended Melbourne High School and Melbourne Teachers College and taught in London in the late 1950s. This background in education informed his approach to public service. He joined the Liberal Party in 1952 and was president of the Victorian Young Liberals from 1959 to 1961. In 1961 Alan married Shirley Pope, a fellow teacher, and while I did not know Alan personally, I do know Shirley and can attest to her personal contribution to the Liberal Party and the wider community.

Alan entered the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1961, representing Oakleigh, and served until 1979. During those 18 years he was appointed Cabinet Secretary in the Bolte government and served in several ministerial positions in the Hamer government: Minister of Health, Minister of Special Education and Assistant Minister of Education. His work in these roles focused on improving Victoria’s education and health systems. He brought integrity and diligence to the task, with a clear commitment to expanding opportunity. In August 1961, in his inaugural speech to the Legislative Assembly, Alan spoke about Victoria’s prospects. He said:

We, in Victoria, are most conscious of the fact that 50 per cent. of the capital which has been attracted to our Commonwealth has been drawn to this State, and this has meant the establishment of new industries and the extension of existent ones. Our population is continually increasing –

this is the key part –

… and Victoria has established itself as the political, cultural and economic leader of the Commonwealth.

We would dearly love to be able to say the same today.

His confidence in Victoria’s potential was genuine and shaped his years of public service. After leaving Parliament Alan moved to Trinity Beach, Queensland, where he served on the Mulgrave Shire Council. His commitment to public life continued well beyond his time in this chamber. Alan passed away on 22 December 2025 at the age of 94. He is remembered as a dedicated colleague and a thoughtful contributor to the work of this Parliament. On behalf of this Parliament and the opposition, we extend our condolences to Alan’s family and all who knew him. His service here and in the wider community will be remembered.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:08): I too wish to associate myself with the Leader of the Government’s motion of condolence for the Honourable Alan Scanlan. He was a person who made a significant impact in his area in Oakleigh. He was born, as has been said, in Caulfield, but he taught for a long period at Oakleigh Primary School, which I might say recently celebrated its 150th anniversary. He made a big impact there, and I had a long conversation with his wife Shirley, who a number of us, including Ms Crozier, know very well indeed and who is a very strong stalwart of the Liberal Party but also the local community in the Oakleigh area. She is a strong monarchist too, I might add. She told the story of meeting Alan. She met him in London in Earls Court in the late 1950s and came back here and married here. He was shortly after elected to Parliament.

She said to me, ‘We were in our 20s. We were the youngest people associated with the Parliament in those days.’ He was, I think, 30 when he was sworn in, but he was a very effective minister, a Minister for Health, a Minister for Special Education. As the Leader of the Government has pointed out, he was the first minister in the country to have that specific set of responsibilities to assist those who might have a disability. He also, as I say, was a very strong advocate for his local area. The two of them were a great pair.

Alan moved to Queensland after he left Parliament in 1979. He took up residence at Trinity Beach and participated in a number of activities there, including advocacy on tourism matters and so forth. But I think the important thing was Oakleigh, at that time when he was active, was developing, and he was a very, very fierce advocate for his local area as well as being a respected minister and contributor. For Shirley and family, we certainly happily join in this condolence motion to respect the life of Alan Scanlon.

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

The PRESIDENT: As a further mark of respect, the proceedings will be suspended for 1 hour.

Sitting suspended 12:12 pm until 1:15 pm.