25 September 2024
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (11:41): I rise very briefly to speak to this condolence motion. I want to begin by extending my condolences to Dr John Coulter's daughter, Kiersten, and his stepchildren, Graham, Debbie and Gwendolynne.
As has been observed today, Dr John Coulter was a strong advocate for our environment, and he fought for action on a range of issues, including nuclear power, nature protection, renewable energy and climate change. Prior to his career as a Senator, Dr Coulter worked at the Institute of Medical and Veterinary Science in Adelaide as a research officer and a specialist pathologist and then as a lecturer in energy studies and then environmental studies. Dr Coulter was also heavily involved in a number of environmental organisations, not least the Conservation Council.
I remember seeing him at an election forum I spoke at back in 2022 with the then shadow environment minister and Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Susan Close. It was clear even at that meeting that, despite his advanced age, Dr Coulter was still very passionate and very interested in environmental issues. Indeed, his significant legacy was acknowledged by the hosts of the event.
As has been observed, throughout the seventies and eighties Dr Coulter was an active critic of uranium mining and nuclear testing, and he campaigned against the proposed Redcliff plant and the Roxby Downs indenture act. He joined the Democrats in 1980. In 1987, he was elected as a Senator for South Australia, and he remained there for eight years. He also spent two years as Leader of the Australian Democrats.
In 1995, when he resigned, the casual vacancy in the Senate was filled by Natasha Stott Despoja, whom the Hon. Tammy Franks and I both had the opportunity to work with. Whilst I did not spend a great deal of time with Dr John Coulter, he was someone who I heard a lot about over the years. I think his contribution to environmental policy in particular has been acknowledged by many people right across the political spectrum.
I think he had one of those unique capacities in politics, that is, being someone who brought a significant level of technical expertise to the parliament and was able to use that to actually affect policy outcomes and change political discussions. That is a unique skill to have. He was certainly ahead of his time. In particular, as noted by the Hon. Tammy Franks, back in 1995 he called on the Keating government to introduce a carbon tax. That was 17 years before the Gillard government finally introduced one and we saw that debate in Australia, so he really was ahead of his time in calling for action on the environment in particular.
I commend the motion and pass on my condolences to his family and friends. He leaves behind a significant legacy and he is certainly a South Australian who has made a big contribution. Vale John Coulter.