Mr McCORMACK (Riverina—Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development and Leader of the Nationals) (15:12): on indulgence—Normally we wouldn't do this as a federal parliament, but I think this is a very unusual situation. The Queensland parliament lost one of its state members to cancer last week. I say 'very unusual' because he was just 40 years young. Former senator John 'Wacka' Williams once said to me, 'No-one should complain about getting old, because some don't get the choice,' and indeed Duncan Pegg, sadly, lost his life. Duncan Pegg was the member for Stretton. He died just seven weeks after he announced he was retiring from politics to focus on his brave battle against cancer. He was just shy of his 41st birthday. Like all of us, he entered public life because he loved his country. He loved his state of Queensland and he loved his community, and they loved him. We've seen that love returned many times over by his community in recent months. The children of Stretton sent countless get-well and thankyou cards. They remembered him turning up to all their concerts and events. They were handmade and heartfelt cards, absolutely beautiful. One year 2 from Runcorn State School wrote: 'Mr Pegg, thank you for taking care of our school. You're the best.' On 29 April there was a massive community farewell at the Sunnybank Performing Arts and Cultural Centre, following his retirement from parliament. The 300 seats were snapped up in hours, and those on the waiting list saw it streamed on Facebook. Even though there were no seats left, they came anyway, just to honour and respect this wonderful man. I did not know him, but I read about him and I learnt about him. I reached out to the opposition leader last week, and we had a long conversation about Duncan Pegg. Duncan Pegg once said, 'We have the most beautiful communities, who have had to deal with things that others perhaps haven't.' He was a decent and fair man. We could ask for nothing more. He embodied the best of his community and he courageously sought to serve it even though he was fighting cancer. He loved his community, and, as I say, they loved him back. To Duncan's family, we extend our deepest condolences. May he rest in peace.