Mr SHORTEN (Maribyrnong—Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): The opposition rises to join with the Prime Minister to express our condolences on the passing of Senator Reg Withers. Reg Withers did not go into politics to be loved, especially not by his opponents. But he was by all accounts a genial man. He was an intelligent man. He was a man with a good sense of humour. And he came from a robust political party—the Western Australian division of the Liberal Party, a party whose ups and downs shaped Withers' own legendary resilience. I think it is fair to say that, in a tough business, he was one of the toughest customers. There was nothing naive or romantic about his view of public life. As he once said: 'Politics is about getting power and keeping power. We're not indulging in some afternoon tea party, for goodness sake!' Today we pay our respects for Reg Withers' life. As the Prime Minister said, in an interview on ABC Radio in 1983, Reg Withers recalled his old friend and sparring partner Fred Daly sitting in the gallery. He said, 'Freddie and I looked at each other in a rather bemused way,' and he did grab hold of a sheet of paper. And Fred Daly said, 'I'm sorry that I won't live another 50 years because when they speak on your condolence everyone will get up and say "He was loved by all"!' In speaking to Labor colleagues who served in the time of Reg Withers, they do recognise that he was a formidable foe and he was a man who strongly represented the convictions that he held. He gave service to the Royal Australian Navy, to the law, to the Liberal Party, to our parliament and to the City of Perth as mayor. Labor offers our condolences to his family and friends. May he rest in peace. The SPEAKER: As a mark of respect, I invite honourable members to rise in their places. Honourable members having stood in their places— Debate adjourned.