Vale David Whitrow, St Christopher's Cathedral, Canberra
17th August, 2016
We are all shocked and deeply saddened by the passing of our good friend and colleague, David Whitrow. How sad it is that he has had such a short time to enjoy his retirement, after what was often an intense and hectic working life. How sad it is that he has had so little time to enjoy the benefits of his work, and for us to have his company in a more relaxed mode - and to say thanks to him for what he has done and his friendship.David was my Chief of Staff from 2004, though he had already worked for me in a senior capacity before then. He loyally stayed with me both in government and opposition. Earlier he filled similar roles for (the late) Senator Warwick Parer and Wilson Tuckey after 20 years with the Mining Industry in Canberra and Hobart.
He was a fine leader of my office team and was respected by work colleagues, friends and adversaries. David was a problem solver, constantly looking for a way forward, patient but innovative. He was loyal and faithful, always willing to listen and give people the time they wanted. He could be very determined and persistent and when an objective seemed a long way ahead, and some were doubting, he would look you in the eye and say "it will happen"
We endured some tough times but also enjoyed many successes and achievements together, the memories of which are now so much more important. He had a dry wit, often much appreciated during the many moments of high tension we experienced in our work environment.
In the time of the Howard Government, he was with me during the terrible drought in the early part of this century leading to the biggest government assistance package ever which saved many farmers and country businesses. He was part of the Government's industry restructuring programs for dairy, sugar, wool, wheat, wine, the incredible Cormo Express story, tedious trade discussions with unwilling partners, the negotiations with the States for the Auslink program; and with the Abbott Government, the implementation of Australia's biggest road and rail construction initiative, aviation reform, the Stronger Regions program and the ongoing search for MH370.
David was a key part of The Nationals and Coalition teams. He worked on many high level government committees, including the Budget Committee, he was part of the morning leadership conferences, and even the famous "Star Chamber" more properly called the Staff Selection Committee. He knew that Coalition governments must have a high level of co-operation between the parties to be successful and he worked hard to ensure there was always a strong and cordial working relationship between the Prime Minister's Office and ours. He was constantly engaged in the detailed day to day negotiations to deliver our policy priorities. He valued the relationship governments need to have with their departments and industry and worked constantly to build cooperation and teamwork.
We could not have achieved what we did without him!
I doubt David would have ever written his memoirs (he didn't much like paperwork) but if he did, he had a lot to tell.
Over the years, there have been many a television series which attempted to create a picture of what goes on behind the scenes in Government - often memorable comedies perhaps enjoyed most by the Parliamentarians and those who work in the back rooms of Government. But I don't think any have been able to successfully portray the tension and pressure and days of painstaking work that goes on, often for months, to prepare a budget, a new policy statement, industry restructuring package or a response to a developing crisis. David was working in the back rooms of government for 20 years.
David was a friend to many. He had a huge circle of industry colleagues, portfolio partners, departmental advisers, political supporters and mates, all of whom will miss him greatly.
David led the so called "Team Truss" for almost 12 years. He was respected by other Ministerial offices - and many on the opposite side.
When I announced my retirement to Parliament, I referred to the fact that in my almost two decades on the front bench, in government and opposition, I only had two chiefs of staff. My opposite number for much of that time was Anthony Albanese who in response observed how remarkable that fact was. "This is a place of revolving doors" he said. "where people come in for a short period of time, there is a lot of pressure on in these jobs and people leave. I certainly know David Whitrow very well. He has been loyal; he clearly loves you as a mate as well as his employer."
His networking methods were sometimes unorthodox and many a time when he was not at his desk, he could be found in the outside courtyard having a cigarette with a colleague, or simply taking some thinking and planning time. He would manage a cigarette break between cars or planes or meetings, often getting just a couple of puffs before having to move on. He paid a lot of tax on cigarettes he never finished but the time was not entirely unproductive. The solution to many a problem was negotiated over cigarettes in the courtyard smokers circle. Those who knew would keep an eye on the courtyard when they wanted to see him, knowing he would turn up soon.
One of David's responsibilities in the early days in my office was as Wine Advisor. The wine industry was doing well at the time but David said the job never scored him a free bottle of wine - however I doubt that.
It was no secret that David enjoyed a drink - to help him relax. It was always a challenge to keep my office supply from being raided. Fiona would go to great lengths to discover new hiding places - but David would find them. I didn't mind too much because he usually went for the Chardonnay and I am a member of the "anything but chardonnay club. His tastes were expensive though.
The only way Lyn and I could keep him from emptying the stocks was to buy something cheap or unlabeled. He had standards!
Out of hours, David also had a couple of other "offices" - like the golf course and he was a regular at the National Press Club. There is no doubt many there will also miss his congenial company.
Some say it is hard in politics to find people you can respect and trust implicitly but David was such a person. And for me he also became my close confidant and friend. We planned to keep that friendship going in the next phase of our lives but that is now not to be.
As the Financial Review said of David this morning, "a man ---- recognised as one of those rarest of creatures: a true gentleman of the political fray".
We share our sense of loss at his passing especially with his wonderful wife Margaret, his son James and daughter Melissa and his wider family.
We are all the richer for having had David in our lives and we will miss him greatly.
