I am deeply saddened by the death of Senator Jim Molan AO DSC.
Prior to his election to the Australian Senate, Senator Molan served proudly in the Australian Army for 40 years, in a career that saw him deployed to Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Timor-Leste, Malaysia, Germany, the United States and Iraq.
Senator Molan was made an Officer in the Order of Australia for his role in Indonesia and East Timor, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross by the Australian Government for "distinguished command and leadership in action in Iraq".
It was his many years of distinguished service in our nation's defence forces which informed much of his interest and work in the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Senate Committees.
He was also highly respected for his contributions in other fields, including his Senate committee work on stillbirth.
Even through illness, Senator Molan continued to be a strong advocate for Australia's defence and national security, and remained a dedicated servant of the people of New South Wales in the Australian Parliament.
On behalf of the Labor Senate team, I send my deepest condolences to Jim's family - his wife Anne, their four children, grandchildren, as well as his loyal staff, friends, colleagues and all those he served with.
