Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (14:01): I move: That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 8 November 2025, of the Honourable Graham Frederick Richardson AO, a former Minister and Senator for the State of New South Wales from 1983 to 1994, place on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service, and tender its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement. Graham Richardson was always going to have an impact. As we reflect on his life and service, I turn to the words of his friend Paul Keating—someone who saw him up close when it truly mattered. In his heartfelt catalogue of Graham's qualities, Paul described him as a 'working-class intellectual'—one possessed of a 'sharp political mind' that readily discerned the big picture. He called him a 'Labor loyalist', effective both as a senator and an organisational figure in the party, a distinguished minister and a commentator whose opinion was sought because it carried both 'weight and wisdom'. Fresh from his services as New South Wales Labor General Secretary, Graham arrived in parliament at the age of 33, becoming, at that time, the youngest senator since Federation. As a member of the Hawke and Keating governments, he served as minister in several portfolios, including social security, health, and transport and communications. Unquestionably, though, his greatest impact was as minister for the environment, a role that saw him channel his remarkable energy, focus and persistence into championing the protection of our natural environment—protection that included saving the Daintree. The scale of Graham's achievements in that portfolio is indisputable, and just how long those achievements will endure as living and breathing reality is beyond measure. Yet Graham was characteristically self-effacing. As he put it: My memory won't be around for very long, but the rainforests of north Queensland will be around forever. There is no escaping the fact that Graham's life was often colourful and sometimes controversial. Yet, while Graham was not perfect, he was always very direct. That much was evident in the famously self-aware title of his memoir Whatever It Takes. He had that rogue's charm—that capacity to disarm. Of course, he played his politics hard—he never liked to lose—but he could put old grudges and grievances aside to forge unlikely friendships. He was not just a Labor legend and a tribal figure; he was a Sydney identity. Richo knew everyone and everyone knew Richo, yet there was more to Graham than the long lunches and tall tales. His pragmatism was paired with real passion and a true sense of service to party, to the Labor movement and to our nation. That's why, when Graham left parliament, he never left politics. He remained a thoughtful, perceptive and engaged observer, commentator and source of counsel and insight to so many across the political spectrum, including myself. He faced considerable health challenges later in life—something he addressed with typical candour. Yet he remained an active part of the national discourse, sharing a lifetime of wisdom with audiences right up until the end. He loved and lived all of what politics can be—service, calling, art and craft. Of all the promises he made, the most powerful was to his wife, Amanda—who joins us in parliament today—when he told her he planned to live until their son, D'Arcy—who is also with us today—completed his HSC exams. It was a very close run thing, but Graham kept his word. When I spoke to Amanda just hours after Graham's passing, that was one of the first things she said to me. He was so proud of you, D'Arcy, and he just loved every day that he had to spend with you. All of Graham's family are very much in our hearts today. My deepest sympathies to all who loved him and to everyone in the Labor family who grieves for a friend, mentor and inspiration. May your sorrow be softened, at least a little, by the knowledge that, some 2½ thousand kilometres to our north, the mighty Daintree still stands in all its beauty and complexity—an ancient treasure kept safe for generations not yet born. If our job on this earth is to leave it better than we found it, that alone gives Graham's legacy real power and meaning for this generation and for future generations. It is a truly remarkable testament. Contrary to Graham's expectation, may its name forever touch his. May Richo rest in peace.