The SPEAKER (14:08): I thank the Leader of the Opposition. I also acknowledge Sharon, Grant and James who have driven here today for this motion. It was Labor's 1983 federal election victory that prompted Bob Halverson to join the Liberal Party, to seek and win preselection as the candidate for Casey and to go on and win election to this House at the December 1984 election. As the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition have ably articulated, he loved this parliament, he loved our country and he loved the community he represented—the same electorate I now have the honour of representing. He worked hard to get things done and he did. He was a passionate, effective and respected member of parliament. As the former state member for Monbulk Steve McArthur, who worked closely with Bob in the electorate, told me, 'Bob was a big man. Cheerful and full of good humour. He valued honesty, loved his electorate and worked hard for his constituents.' To locals, party members and parliamentary colleagues on both sides of the House he was known as 'Halvo', a typical Australian nickname that tells you so much—friendly, approachable, a straight shooter. His election in 1984 was the result of a lot hard work by Bob and a dedicated team of Liberal Party members. Of course, way back then the production of election brochures and print advertisements was a long and painstaking task. Photos had to be taken, they had to be developed, stuck to a page, which had to be typeset and sent away to the printer. The writing and production of the Halverson Liberal for Casey brochures and print advertisements were done around the dining room table of party member Neil Grist's home. Neil served Australia in the Second World War. Upon his return he forged a successful career in corporate communications, making him a great asset for the Casey Liberal team. He also produced my first brochure in my first election, but thankfully by then he had a number of computers! At the age of 92, Neil is watching us today from the same room at his Richardson Road home in Croydon with the chair of the Liberal Party Casey federal electorate council, Fran Henderson. Once Bob was elected, he employed loyal and dedicated staff, including the late Pauline Osmond, who worked with him throughout his entire parliamentary career, as did Denise Jeffs, who now works in my office, although she did ask me point out she was only 23 back in 1984. When I was starting out in the Liberal Party, Bob was a great mentor. When I put my hand up for preselection, he happily wrote a reference. Given his respect within the local party and the broader community, I can say: without it I probably would not be sitting here in this House. He was proud when I was elected to this House in 2001, as he was when I was elected Speaker just over six months ago. Back then he was very sick, but he emailed me on the Saturday night before the vote saying, 'The Halverson family extend their warmest greetings and best wishes for your success at the ballot on Monday to elect a new Speaker. May the force be with you. Hang in there. Halvo.' After the vote, he sent me another email of congratulations with a headline that instantly reminded me of his wonderful encouragement and that warm smile from all those years ago. The headline on the email was simply 'Gotcha'. All of our thoughts are with Maggie and the Halverson family as we pay tribute to this House's fifth member for Casey and its 22nd Speaker. As a mark of respect, I ask all present to signify their approval by rising in their places. Honourable members having stood in their places— Debate adjourned.