Bill Harradine

Ex independant Senator Bill Harradine died yesterday.

I didn't agree with his anti abortion, anti pornography stance but he stood for his state and wrote the book on how to negotiate with a ruling minority government.

He stood firm against the GST which sent the fear of god through the Howard government and forced them to negotiate with the Democrats which eventually led to the latter's demise and the rise of the Greens.

A very approachable man, I spoke to him a couple of times (on the phone) and he didn't represent my state.