Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Prime Minister) (14:03): I wish to acknowledge on indulgence the passing of the Hon. Neville Wran AC, QC, former Premier of New South Wales and a former national president of the Australian Labor Party. Neville Wran was one of the political giants of his generation. He assumed the leadership of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales at a time when the Labor Party was at a low ebb, but he was a magnificently commanding figure in that state and he totally dominated the politics of New South Wales for well over a decade. In that time, he oversaw major redevelopments, such as Darling Harbour and the Entertainment Centre. But while he was an urbane man about town he was also someone who appreciated the importance of Western Sydney. He shifted much of the focus of government and governmental institutions to Western Sydney and was responsible, above all else, for the massive development of Westmead Hospital. He was a fierce parliamentarian—there was none fiercer. He asked for no quarter and he gave no quarter. It is said that when his chief parliamentary rival, and Country Party leader, the late Leon Punch, was speaking in parliament one day, Neville Wran let his displeasure be known by turning to his colleague and saying, 'If I die before that guy, and he starts talking on my condolence motion, you are to move that the member be no further heard.' I am pleased to say that Neville Wran did mellow somewhat in later life, even to the point of being civil to young Liberal members of parliament with whom he was engaging in constitutional debate in the late 1990s. It was always a pleasure to share a platform with him or to share the studio with him, even though we were on the other side. He was a giant. He did make a mark. He will be missed. On behalf of the government, I offer condolences to his wife, Jill, his children, his grandchildren, his family and his friends.