I Once Met ... Lionel Murphy

The editor meets Lionel Murphy for the first time ... But not the only time ... Unfolding the Whitlam government's agenda in the senate leader's office ... New wallpaper ... An unexpected interruption ... Interview with cub reporter 

Lionel Murphy: alluring

It was early 1973. Lionel Murphy was the newly installed attorney general and minister for customs in the Whitlam government.

Your correspondent was a young cub at the Financial Review in the Canberra press gallery. 

My round was to report on Murphy's "economic legislation". He was leader of the government in the senate and in charge of getting a great pile of reformist measures through the Opposition controlled red chamber. 

I simply had to get an interview with Murphy for the paper yet George Negus, the AG's press secretary, was unmoved by my pressing need. 

I keep popping down to see Negus about an interview, but he was usually on the phone chatting to someone about which restaurant in Canberra had the best canard l'orange. 

Ultimately, there was a breakthrough. George said, yes, the attorney general will see you tomorrow at 11.30. 

"That's great, George, because it gives me time to write the story that afternoon for the next day's paper." 

"No, no," said the Zapata moustachioed press secretary, "11.30 at night". 

The following evening I drove to (old) Parliament House in my trusty VW beetle, bolted up the front steps, past the snoozing attendants and down the senate corridor to the leader's office. No security, no electronic buzzing, no checks. Straight in. 

Someone must have organised some new decorations for the office, because a rather smart black and white striped wallpaper had been installed. 

Still, when I open the door the rooms were incredibly dark. The lights were dimmed and the atmosphere sombre. "Come in here," called a nasal voice from within.  

There was a large sitting room just off the senator's main office. The attorney general sat in a red leather chair and offered me a glass of something. 

"What do you want to know? ... Fire away and we'll get this story on page one." 

He was charming, patient and helpful as he explained his plans for the Trade Practices Act; a new family law regime; corporations and securities legislation; abolition of appeals to the Privy Council; removal of the royal insignia from post boxes; marriage celebrants in every town; the abolition of capital punishment for Commonwealth crimes; creation of the Australian Legal Aid Office and the Australian Law Reform Commission; human rights legislation; foreign investment guidelines; freedom of information, creation of the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman; a new Institute of Criminology ... 

His voice was low pitched and deliberate. A rich and comforting drone. It lulled me into thinking that to be here with Lionel Murphy was probably the greatest moment of my life and that everything he said was perfect. 

As he continued, though the gloom I noticed an imperceptible movement coming from a couch behind him. 

I peered more closely. Was it an arm, a leg? Could that be hair? Gradually, but surely, the form of a reclining woman was made out. 

"Of course the territories should have senate representation ... and I'm keen to have an environmental law division within my department ..."

He went on, but at this stage I was lost. 

I felt like an intruder. Too much was happening in the background to focus on what was being said in the foreground. 

Previous edition: I Once Met ... Bob Hawke

Justinian invites contributions to I Once Met ... Email: justinian@lawpress.com.au