Goodbye Al

Whitlam govt minister Grassby dies
A former cabinet member in the Whitlam Labor government, Al Grassby has died. Albert Grassby was the immigration minister from 1972 to 1974. Mr Grassby was born in Brisbane in 1926. He worked as a journalist before entering politics in 1965 as the member for Murrumbidgee in the New South Wales Parliament.

In October 1969 he won the federal seat of Riverina, and in 1972 was appointed the immigration minister for the new Whitlam government - until he lost his seat in the May 1974 election. Mr Grassby initiated extensive reforms in immigration, citizenship and human rights legislation, and is credited with introducing the policy of multiculturalism to Australia.

He was also known for wearing highly colourful ties and recently told a newspaper they represented the country moving from a dull and colourless past to a new colourful Australia. Mr Grassby died in a Canberra hospital this morning.

I remember Al as a superb example of natural intelligence, wit and Australian larrikinism that is sadly absent now. And an extremely snappy dresser with lashings of European styling that none of us had EVER seen before. I just wish the picture above was in colour.