Tim Fischer, champion of Palestinian rights

“….speaking about Palestine was taboo in Liberal Party circles….” It shouldn’t be taboo for someone to speak about anything anywhere. Liberty is a right but the fruits of it are earned privileges. There is an obligation on the other residents of the environment in which someone is speaking up to know how to refute the contrarian, whether it be a ‘pro’-Palestinian in the Liberal Party or a wearer of a rainbow sash standing in line for Holy Communion. The right cannot be abolished but its benefits are privileges which can be eroded if nobody has the gumption to assert that right.

He, unlike the Prime Minister under whom he served, richly deserved the honour indicated by the little gold lapel pin he wore.

Tim Fischer was that rare thing anywhere: a person of unimpeachable integrity. I was a year or two behind him at my first secondary school. He was a boarder and I a dayboy: separate tribes, so I didn't know him that well. He did not stand out at that school, but many 'stars' there faded in real life, whereas, after he proved his real leadership ability as a Second Lieutenant in National Service, he went on and on. His surname 'Fischer' rather than 'Fisher' hints at a Western European, rather than British ancestry, so he was multicultural before it was invented. Xavier College in the 1960s was another century away, but I must say this about the Jesuits, particularly some of the older Irish ones, is that they wanted us to be cultured, tolerant citizens of the world. No one 'made' Tim, like most genuinely mature men he forged himself with God's guidance and the support of others. He was a community man and his community was inclusive rather than exclusive. John Howard, 'yesterday's man', kept popping up like a Jack in the Box out of a bad comedy show, saying what a good Deputy PM Tim was. Tim was always more than any assigned role. Yes, he was aware of injustice towards the Palestinians, but he was not an Anti-Semite. Amazing man. R.I.P.

Wonderfully accurate depiction of John Howard, Edward Fido.

Years ago I read an article about G K Chesterton, Irfan. I forget who the writer was, but the essence of what he said was that Chesterton transcended any of his works. Tim Fischer was a bit like that. He certainly had a knowledge of Christians in the Middle East. Christians in the Middle East are a very threatened minority. They are as much part of Palestine and the Palestinian diaspora as the Muslims. The Palestinian authority in Gaza is looking more and more like a Sunni Muslim outfit. I think there is a line when criticizing Israel; it's treatment of the Palestinians, including its own Palestinian citizens (often described as 'Israeli Arab'); the perceived 'Israel lobby' in the USA etc., where this criticism becomes criticism of 'the Jews' and starts sounding like the awful 19th Century anti-Semitism which resulted in the rise of Hitler and the Holocaust. Sorting out the Israel/Palestine issue is a wee bit like unscrambling eggs. Can it be done without mutual goodwill and the assistance of the Deity we call by various names and claim to worship?

Tim Fischer never seemed to show anger and never resorted to the name-calling and personal criticisms common among other politicians. I think he had a quick mind that some people may have underestimated. I heard him talk a couple of times, without notes, and he held the attention of his audience with his knowledge and humour. He could show frustration, as he did on one occasion lamenting the sale of land corridors around Sydney that would make it harder to develop a future fast train network. Part of his vision for Australia. The Museum of Australian Democracy in Canberra has an exhibition of collections by politicians, featuring Tim’s many neck ties. A quirky collection. He was a good man of principle. RIP.

It may seem strange, Tim, in this age of narcissistic, over-opinionated, media 'star' politicians, to see someone like the late Tim Fischer, or John Anderson, who were/are intelligent, considered and courteous and generally regarded by both sides of politics, apart from possibly the Greens, as right good men and true. To add to the confoundment of some, both are white (I'm not sure what the current politically correct term here is). Both were/are associated with the Nationals, who some associate with the Far Right. That is pure poppycock. They and Senator Ron Boswell were the Coalition's sheet anchor against racism of any sort. It is an accepted truism amongst certain members of the progressive left in this country that Australia is a misogynist, racist country and that it is open insult season for what used to be known as white males. I regard these people and their views with grave reservation. To get back to Irfan's paen to the late Tim Fischer, I do not think Tim's empathy for the Palestinians would diminish his faith in Australia or the really deep abiding Christian values which inspired so many like him. To quote Chaucer: 'He was a very gentle, perfect knight'.