Mr DUTTON (Dickson—Leader of the Opposition) (14:05): I thank the Prime Minister for his very warm words. I join him in celebrating and honouring the life of Gary Nairn AO. Gary was one of life's great gentlemen. As the Prime Minister pointed out, he was always affable and worked very closely with his colleagues. All of us had a great deal of respect for him. In many ways Gary was destined to serve in the Howard government because he was a battler who understood battlers and wanted to make life better for Australians who had been forgotten as part of that battling class. Born into a hardworking but struggling Sydney family, Gary admitted he learnt a valuable lesson early in life. He said, 'You do not get something unless you work for it.' And work Gary most certainly did. He worked as a storeman and packer in the horse stalls as a teenager. He worked at his studies and earned a Commonwealth scholarship that helped him pay for university. He worked as a graduate surveyor before working to establish his own private practice, which grew from two to 20 staff. Gary's role as a surveyor took him across Australia and, indeed, around the world. That profession undoubtedly forged the future parliamentarian in the man, for whilst surveying the land Gary was also observing people. His interactions with them reinforced his own understanding of the motivations and aspirations at the heart of the human experience. Surveying became a springboard into local politics. Living in the Northern Territory, Gary joined the CLP and shaped the party in many ways, first as a member and then as president for four years. He was rightly made an honorary life member. But the battler was set for bigger things. In the 1996 election Gary stood for and secured the seat of Eden-Monaro with a nine per cent two-party-preferred swing. Testament to his character, his convictions and his connection with and commitment to his constituents, Gary would go on to hold one of the toughest bellwether seats in Australia for three subsequent elections. He was right in his observation when he said, 'I could identify and empathise with the many battlers in Eden-Monaro, and I found they also identified with me.' He was a true Liberal. Gary saw the value in individualism, in enterprise and in the family unit. He was a champion of small businesses, which he saw as the lifeblood of rural and regional Australia. He knew firsthand that family businesses on the farm and the enterprise of people in towns keep Australia going. He understood that small-business owners treat their workers like family and that in hard times those small-business owners prioritise paying their staff even if they can't afford to pay themselves. That's why Gary spoke proudly about being part of a government that was decent, was honest and worked for ordinary Australians—the very traits that Gary embodied in his life. Gary's counsel and common sense were readily sought after not only by his colleagues but also by his Prime Minister, John Howard, who appointed him as his parliamentary secretary and, later, his Special Minister of State. Gary was instrumental in securing funding for the Australian Government Online Service Point, the first step towards myGov. He championed the use of spatial data in decision-making and was even called by his colleagues 'the spatial minister of state'. While Gary's face was familiar to those in the electorate, his face became one familiar to the nation. As the evening television news bulletin beamed into people's living rooms, coverage of question time would show a dutiful and attentive Gary sitting behind Prime Minister Howard. Following his more than 11 years of service to the people of Eden-Monaro, Gary did not seek a quiet life; instead, he threw himself into noble causes. He chaired the Duke of Edinburgh's International Award in Australia and the advisory board of the Centre for Spatial Data Infrastructures and Land Administration. He supported sustainable farming as a director of the Mulloon Institute and provided his time to several charities which helped Australians, especially children with disability or those suffering from cancer. A dependable and duty-driven man, Gary served his country, his constituents and the Liberal Party with utmost distinction. His contributions to public life were acknowledged in 2015 with his appointment as an Officer of the Order of Australia. One thing that struck me about Gary's time as parliamentarian was that he was always able to acknowledge the good deeds of everyday Australians. He was just a very decent person. The statements he made were a window into Gary's generosity, his grace and his goodness. Indeed, he took time to praise Charlie Sanderson, a retiring police officer, who, in his 31-year career, lead the rescue operation following the 1997 Thredbo landslide. After the horror 2002-03 bushfire season, Gary paid tribute to the courage of firefighters, foresters, volunteers and residents who courageously provided evidence for a committee inquiry. In 1999, Gary honoured the members of the Australian fly-fishing team whose world championship title had sadly gone relatively unnoticed. After his first wife, Kerrie, tragically lost her battle to cancer in 2005, Gary delivered one of the most moving tributes to someone he loved dearly and whose achievements were worthy of recognition. Gary was loved too, none more so than by his second wife, Rose; by his children, Ben and Deborah; and by his grandchildren. Our thoughts are with them today as we honour the life of Gary Nairn. May he rest in peace.