Mr DUTTON (Dickson—Leader of the Opposition) (15:41): on indulgence—I thank the Prime Minister for his very gracious words in relation to a great Australian. Tom Hughes, the former member for Berowra, has, sadly, passed away, but at the remarkable age of 101 years. He served at a federal level between 1964 and 1973, and he was many, many things in life. He was a pilot in the Second World War who received the Legion of Honour for his role in the Normandy landings. He was a venerable lion of the Sydney bar who accepted briefs in a principled 'cab on the rank' manner. He was a pragmatic and non-partisan attorney-general whose legal opinions were a hallmark of brevity, clarity and readability. He was an unfailingly loyal Gortonite who admired his Prime Minister and his great friend as an agent of change. He was a grazier who enjoyed winning a stock option almost as much as a case in court. And he was a man known for his profound care for his family, friends, colleagues and clients. Ian Hancock's masterful biography of Tom Hughes finishes by quoting a letter Tom received from a fellow silk, Tom Bathurst, who had just been appointed as Chief Justice of New South Wales. Bathurst wrote to Tom: 'I sought to model myself on you, not only in relation to your outstanding forensic and legal abilities, but also the dignity, honesty and integrity you brought to any matter in which you appeared.' Tom was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in 1988. In April, I had the distinct honour of delivering the Tom Hughes Oration at the Sydney Opera House. I saw Tom there, who was frail, and I saw Chrissie, and I extend to her my heartfelt and sincere condolences, as I do to members of the family: to Lucy, to Tom and to Michael, and to the broader family. They had so much respect and admiration for Tom. He was an inspiration, not just to his family but to generations of our Liberal family. There will be an opportunity in due course, I'm sure, to make more fulsome remarks in relation to Tom. But I was speaking with John Howard earlier today, and I know that John had the utmost respect for Tom. They had a close working relationship, and it was a mutual respect for two great men who have contributed so much to our country. I also acknowledge the hurt and grief of the current member for Berowra, who was particularly close to Tom. There was a significant mutual admiration in that friendship as well, and I was texting with Julian earlier to acknowledge the grief and pain that he's experiencing at the moment. But to the Hughes family and to the extended family and friends, who are grieving now, we offer our sincere and heartfelt condolences. He was a wonderful Australian from our greatest generation. May he rest in peace. The SPEAKER: As a mark of respect to the memory of the late Tom Hughes, I ask all present to rise in their places. Honourable members having stood in their places— The SPEAKER: I thank the House.