Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (13:59): I move: That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 13 October 2022, of John Michael Spender KC, a former Member of this House for the Division of North Sydney from 1980 to 1990, place on record its acknowledgement of his significant contribution to the House in his ten years of service to the people of North Sydney and to Australia's foreign relations as Ambassador to France, Ambassador to Portugal and Morocco and special envoy to Cyprus, and tender its sympathy to his family in their bereavement. As we mark the passing of John Spender, I'd like to begin by acknowledging his family who have joined us here today—not least, of course, the member for Wentworth, one of his daughters, who I'm sure the whole family is just as proud of as her dad was. While the rest of us are marking the passing of a distinguished former member, she is grieving the loss of her beloved father. I say to her: your father so fervently believed that your place was in here; your success in the election must have added such a glow to his final months and such pride. To focus on John Spender's time as the member for North Sydney would be like choosing one element from what was a lifetime of accomplishment. He was a shadow minister, a barrister, an ambassador, a husband to Carla Zampatti and then to Catherine Spender. And, of course, he was a father, stepfather and grandfather. Throughout it all he was a man of decency, grace, reflection and good humour. He was also an upstanding member of the Liberal Party and the son of Liberal cabinet minister Sir Percy Spender, no less. He was broad in his engagement. In his first speech as an MP he reflected on his period at the bar. He said: I have had the good fortune to act for quite a large part of that time … for trade unions and for trade union officials, and also to advise them. Again, he wasn't just part of a mould. John entered parliament understanding that, to quote him, 'the purpose of politics is to achieve results'. He knew life in government and life in opposition. He appreciated the good moments and didn't shy away from the harder ones, including crossing the floor on matters of principle. He was sent as our ambassador to France when the relationship between our two nations was at a low ebb—not for the last time! John set about lifting it and he did so. The best indicator of how well he went was that the French government eventually conferred on him the Legion of Honour. As the French ambassador noted on that day: Few people have the opportunity and privilege to live several lives in one lifetime, several careers in one professional destiny. John Spender was one of the few. We extend our condolences to his beloved Catherine; to his stepson, Alex; and to his daughters, Bianca and the member for Wentworth. To lose one parent is hard enough; for both to be gone in such a short space of time must be even more difficult. May you take some solace from the thought that they will always be a part of you and that, in its own way, your conversation with them will go on. A rich and full life is at an end. May John Spender rest in peace.