13 June 1951, Jubilee Ball, Canberra, Australia
Mr Chifley, former Prime Minister of Australia and leader of the Opposition, collapsed and died of a cardiac arrest during the course of a jubilee ball. The Prime Minister announced his passing.
It is my sorrowful duty to tell you that tonight, during this celebration, Mr. Chifley, former Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, has died.
I do not want to try even to talk about him, because, although we were political opponents, he was a great friend of mine and yours, and a fine Australian.
You will agree that it is appropriate on this sorrowful occasion, that the festivities of tonight should end, and, therefore, in the circumstances there will be no more music.
I do suggest that you have supper and that we then leave quietly, having in our minds very great sorrow for the passing of a fine Australian.
It does not matter about party politics in a case like this: Oddly, enough, in Parliament we get to know each other very well, and we sometimes find we have a warmest friendship among people whose politics are not our own.
Mr. Chifley served this country magnificently for many years.
Sorrow of his own people is shared equally by myself and members of the Government.
I hope this cruel blow for Mrs. Chifley will be softened by the knowledge that there is no Australian who hears this sad news tonight will not have a tear to shed for a man who has served his country.
Indeed, he has served his country and undoubtedly he has hastened his own passing by his devotion to his own land, and, indeed, to the people of the world.
