Vale Tom Hughes

Tom Hughes was a great Australian and giant of the Liberal Party.

Born in 1923 into a family committed to public service, Tom would dedicate his life to our nation, from military service to political service and an esteemed career in the legal profession.

Before beginning his legal and political careers, Tom served our nation in the Royal Australian Air Force during World War II, his courageous service in the invasion of Normandy saw him awarded the Légion d'honneur in 2005, France’s highest order of merit.

Winning the seat of Parkes from the Labor Party in 1963, before becoming the first Member for Berowra led to his appointment as Attorney-General in the Gorton Government in 1969.

Post-politics, Tom became one of the leading figures at the Sydney bar, serving as the president of the New South Wales Bar Association between 1973 and 1975. In 1962 Tom was appointed as a KC and he was renowned for his inimitable style, command of language and forensic skills.

Taking part in some of Australia’s most famous cases, Tom defended Premier Robert Askin in 1974 against a defamation suit brought by the president of the Communist Party of Australia Jack Mundey. In 1976 he simultaneously appeared for Prime Minister Gough Whitlam in the NSW Court of Petty Sessions and against Mr Whitlam in the ACT Supreme Court. He assisted Kerry Packer at the Costigan Royal Commission in 1984, and also represented High Court Judge Lionel Murphy.

Tom was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988 for services to the legal profession, and only retired from the bar in October 2013 — a month before his 90th birthday.

Tom Hughes shines as a great example of dedication to the nation and putting public service and nation before self.