STATE LIBRARY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA & PARLIAMENTARY HISTORY ADVISORY COMMITTEE Transcript of an interview with PHILLIP PENDAL b.1947 – d.2008 STATE LIBRARY OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA - ORAL HISTORY COLLECTION DATE OF INTERVIEW: 19 January 2007 – 25 May 2007 INTERVIEWER: John Ferrell TRANSCRIBER: Hansard DURATION: 15 x 60 minute tapes REFERENCE NUMBER: OH 3568 COPYRIGHT: Parliament of Western Australia and Library Board of Western Australia NOTE TO READER Readers of this oral history memoir should bear in mind that it is a verbatim transcript of the spoken word and reflects the informal, conversational style that is inherent in such historical sources. The Parliament and the State Library are not responsible for the factual accuracy of the memoir, nor for the views expressed therein; these are for the reader to judge. Bold type face indicates a difference between transcript and recording, as a result of corrections made to the transcript only, usually at the request of the person interviewed. FULL CAPITALS in the text indicate a word or words emphasised by the person interviewed. Square brackets [ ] are used for insertions not in the original tape. Phillip George Pendal, 1947-2008 Phillip George Pendal represented the South-East Metropolitan region and the seat of South Perth in the Parliament of Western Australia in both Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly over a quarter century from 1980. Initially a Liberal, he became an Independent for the last term and a half of his political career, in protest at what he considered corrupt electoral practices within the party. He was made a Parliamentary Fellow in 2004 in recognition of his contribution to WA politics including research into the history of the Parliament. This series of fifteen one-hour interviews highlights the following themes of his life. Rural origins in post-war Bunbury where his father was a contract builder and member of the Town Council. Here Phillip began developing his interest in public affairs. Catholic up-bringing and education due to his mother’s influence. He progressed from altar-boy to leadership in the Young Christian Workers’ movement, then became a strong advocate for Catholic values in relation to right-to-life issues when in Parliament, for which he was awarded a Papal Cross. Career as a journalist with WA Newspapers, first in Bunbury then later as political roundsman for the Daily News in Perth. Work as a press officer with Premier Charles Court, which formed a natural bridge from journalism into a political career. Association with the Liberal Party of WA and career as a member of parliament in successive Liberal teams. His contribution as a Shadow Minister in various portfolios culminated in developing the environmental policy which helped Richard Court win government in 1993. Life as an Independent MLA, including the particular challenges of adopting that position. Identification with South Perth, both as an MP and local activist, including founding of the Historical Society and the May Gibbs Trust. Phillip was recognised with Freedom of the City of South Perth. Interests in History, spanning family history, local history and in particular research and writing – with others – of parliamentary history. Family man in the roles of husband, father and grandfather. A warm and sociable person, of the highest integrity, Phillip left an enduring mark on the West Australian scene and on his community. John Ferrell August 2008 Table of Contents PENDAL Tape One Side A Page Number Earliest childhood memory of growing up in Bunbury, 1 houses lived in (moving next door). Forebears & family members. 2 Bunbury in the 1950’s. 3 Father’s building business. 6 Personality characteristics owed to father. 7 Tape One Side B Loss of father at an early age. 10 Influence of mother on Pendal’s childhood. 12 Relationships with other family members. 14 Family history – descended from convict stock. 16 Early interest in politics. 18 Tape Two Side A Schooling 19 Interest in choir, music. 22 Membership of Police & Citizens, boxing lessons, 24 fundraising work. Books interested in, influence of teachers. 25 Gradation from convent to Marist College. 26 Tape Two Side B Marist college days, influences of teachers. 28 School sports. 30 Animosity between Protestant & Catholic students. 31 Parents’ association with the school. 32 Father’s interest in tennis, importance of religion to 33 Pendal. Tape Three Side A Effect of Vatican Council II on Pendal’s beliefs. 38 Pendal’s involvement with church groups. 40 Family move from Bunbury to Victoria Park. 42 Schooling at Christian Brothers College. 43 Tape Three Side B New friends made at CBC. 47 Schooling at CBC 48 Interests outside school. 50 Early work experience; Olympic Tyre & Rubber Company, 51 Commonwealth Bank; transfer to Boulder. Night school studies in Boulder and Perth, journalism 52 cadetship. Tape Four Side A Winning a trip to Canberra at age 15, meeting Robert 57 Menzies. Development of interest in reading, from Enid Blyton to 60 Table of Contents PENDAL mainly political works. Taste in movies from childhood onwards. 61 Pendal’s view on Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam 62 War. Pendal’s views on capital punishment and the hanging of 63 Eric Edgar Cooke. Time in Bunbury as a cadet journalist. 64 Tape Four Side B Experience as a cadet journalist. 66 Life in Bunbury outside journalism. 70 Introduction to motoring; first car purchased in Boulder. 71 Meeting future wife, courtship, marriage. 72 Tape Five Side A Early married life, arrival of children, fatherhood & family 75 life. Achievements of Pendal’s children, role as a grandfather. 77 Working life as a journalist in Perth with the Daily News. 79 Tape Five Side B Working life as a journalist in Perth with the Daily News 84 (continued). Experiences as an executive committee member of the 89 Australian Journalists Association. Award received for provincial journalism. 91 Tape Six Side A Joining the Liberal Party while still working as a political 93 roundsman. Relationships with key members; Fred Chaney, Noel 94 Crichton-Browne, Bill Grayden. Positions held within the State Liberal Party. 97 Being appointed to the staff of Sir Charles Court. 99 Tape Six Side B Working life under Sir Charles Court. 102 Working relationships with Cyril Rushton and Neil McNeill. 105 Travelling with Sir Charles Court. 106 Tape Seven Side A Benefits from the experience of working with Sir Charles 111 Court and their relevance to Pendal’s subsequent career. Pendal’s preselection. 113 Tape Seven Side B Pendal’s 1980 election campaign. 119 Working as Press Secretary for Ian Laurance until being 126 sworn in. Relevance of the Upper House 127 Tape Eight Side A Office arrangements during and after campaign. 129 Table of Contents PENDAL Pendal’s illness during 1983. 131 Maiden speech. 133 Pendal’s early goals once elected. 134 Committee work undertaken by Pendal. 136 Tape Eight Side B Appointment of Laurie Marquet to position of Clerk of the 138 Upper House. Marquet’s influence on Upper House reform. 139 Pendal’s relationship with Upper House President Clive 140 Griffiths. Pendal’s committee work. 141 Relationship with leaders; Court, O’Connor, Hassell, 142 MacKinnon. Pendal’s opinions of other senior coalition players. Tape Nine Side A Pendal’s experiences as shadow minister. 146 Tape Nine Side B Continuation of Pendal’s experiences in the shadow 155 Environment portfolio. Interest in Heritage and creation of Family policies. Influence of Upper House colleagues. 157 Clive Griffiths’ capabilities as Upper House President. 159 Relationship with Norman Moore. 160 Nomination for Lower House seat. 161 Tape Ten Side A Relationship with Barry MacKinnon. 164 Pendal’s views on W.A. Inc. 166 Tape Ten Side B Pendal’s views on W.A. Inc (continued). 172 Pendal’s dealings with Bevan Lawrence. 175 Difficulties of being in opposition. 178 Tape Eleven Side A Pendal’s role in the “Liberal Party Strategy Group”. 180 Upper House Issues. 182 Parliamentary Library 186 Tape Eleven Side B Need for Parliament House to be extended. 189 Coup to replace Hassell with MacKinnon 190 Coup to replace MacKinnon with Court 192 Pendal’s relationship with Richard Court. 193 Pendal’s move from Upper House to Lower House. 194 Liz Constable’s winning of Floreat as an Independent 195 Tape Twelve Side A Pendal’s 1993 campaign for the Lower House seat of 197 South Perth. Table of Contents PENDAL Establishment of Eminent Australians Forum 200 Differences in duties between being an Upper House 201 member and a Lower House member. Tape Twelve Side B Pendal refused a ministry by Richard Court. 206 Pendal resigns from party. 207 Pendal’s opinion on his treatment by Court and who may 208 have been advising him. Lower House committee work undertaken by Pendal. 210 Tape Thirteen Side A Pendal’s best and most helpful associates and colleagues 214 in the Court Government. Pendal’s resignation. 215 Pendal’s observations of branch stacking. 217 Pendal’s deliberations over his resignation, support from 222 Lady Brand. Tape Thirteen Side B Reactions to Pendal’s resignation. 224 Pendal’s objectives as an independent. 226 Pendal’s 1996 election campaign as an independent. 227 Pendal keeping abreast of issues without party support. 229 Pendal’s Right-to-Life stance. 231 Tape Fourteen Side A Pendal’s travel to UNESCO, the Scottish Parliament and 234 Hong Kong. Pendal reflects on his parliamentary career, particularly as 236 an independent. Pendal’s service on the Parliamentary Historical Advisory 240 Committee. Tape Fourteen Side B Events leading to Pendal’s decision to retire. 243 Pedal awarded a papal cross and also freemanship of the 246 City of South Perth. Pendal’s association with the Catholic Church. 248 Tape Fifteen Side A Pendal’s writing separate from his political duties.