Mr SHORTEN (Maribyrnong—Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): Two weeks ago, I was among the thousands paying their respects at Neville Wran's state funeral. It was a grand celebration for a man who lived his life for others. There were generous and funny tributes from many, including Paul Keating, Bob Carr, Rodney Cavalier and Justice Michael Kirby. There were moving words from his wife, Jill, and his children, Kim, Hugo and Harriet. Today our parliament too pauses to pay its respects to a great Premier of New South Wales and a giant of the Australian Labor Party. Few men are made as smart, as tough and as honourable as Neville Wran. After the bitterness and disappointment of 1975, it was Neville's landslide wins that helped rebuild Labor in New South Wales and, indeed, nationally. When Labor's spirits were at their lowest, it was the Wran government who kept the light on the hill burning. In many ways the Wran government was the template for the progressive ethos of the Hawke and Keating governments. The Wran government shaped modern New South Wales: Australia's first antidiscrimination board, the first ethnic affairs commission, the first New South Wales review of public administration, and the first office for women were all fine achievements. Neville Wran transformed New South Wales Labor and remade New South Wales, but he never lost sight of the values that inspired him: helping the vulnerable and making his state a more caring and fairer place. When Frank Forde spoke to the parliament on the death of John Curtin, he described Curtin as a man who was always a common man, a man for the masses—that Curtin strived and strolled among them, and even when he came to the highest place in the land he was still one of them. Today we can say the same for Neville Wran. From barrister, to Premier, to the business world, he never forgot where he came from. He was a Balmain boy to the end. Neville was loved on this side of the House and I also note that he was well known and a friend to the member for Wentworth. All of us in Labor offer our most heartfelt condolences to everyone Neville Wran loved and everyone who loved him. After a life dedicated to the service of others, may he now rest in peace. The SPEAKER: As a mark of respect to the memory of Neville Wran AC, QC, I invite honourable members to rise in their places. Honourable members having stood in their places— The SPEAKER: I thank the House.