Mr ALBANESE (Grayndler—Prime Minister) (15:48): When we gathered in this chamber for the first time this year, all of us felt the absence of Ljupco Jonceski, who we all just knew as Luch. It is a measure of just how much Luch meant to so many that his sudden passing over the summer came as such a shock, and he was honoured by generations of members of parliament and staff. Knowing Luch, he would have been both deeply moved but also a little bit embarrassed by the fuss that was made. He was such a down-to-earth gentleman. But his service to our democracy and his just plain old-fashioned decency as a human being merited every single word that was said about him. I do want to very much welcome Luch's wife, Mary; his son, Joshua; his daughters, Jessica and Rebecca, and their partners, Robert and Anthony, to the chamber. You all loved a great man and a wonderful human being. His service to our democracy we honour today, and it will be long remembered. It is the unforgiving nature of this place that all of us elected to serve in it come and go. Amidst all of that change, where governments have come and gone and many members of parliament have come and gone, Luch was a constant. His was a remarkable story, from working down the hill in Old Parliament House to working as a labourer on the construction of this Parliament House. He served this place with the pride and the care of a man who had helped bring it to life. If you look back through Hansard, so many occupants of the Speaker's chair took the opportunity to record their gratitude to Luch. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for sharing some of the kind words not just of yourself but of former speakers, including one of your predecessors, Tony Smith, who joins us here today. All of us know that in this fantastic building that we have the great privilege to work in and to do our best to serve the Australian people it can be a pretty harsh environment. The fact that there was a constant in Luch, who was just friendly, warm, generous and kind to every single person regardless of where they sat in this chamber and on what side, really was uplifting. He performed his duties with efficiency, with courtesy and with a cheerful informality. There was no stuffiness about Luch. He had that Australian characteristic of being so down to Earth. I'm not surprised by your story, Mr Speaker. He would have been quite concerned that you were opening the door for him because he understood the institution here and the way that it operates as well. He treated everyone with enormous respect, and he was greatly respected by all in turn. So many of the valedictory speeches done by prime ministers and leaders of the opposition and leaders of the House and managers of opposition business and others mention Luch. I haven't done a word search in Hansard, but I suspect that he's got more mentions than some people who've been elected to this place—and to his great credit. Many people who have stood up nervously to give a speech in this place will well recall Luch just coming, without being asked to do it, and giving a glass of water—which was always on the House! That was one of his characteristics he had, and often he would joke that there wasn't necessarily water in the glass as well. This is indeed a sad day for people who knew Luch, for his family, compounded by the shock. And I had the opportunity to speak briefly with his family just before. Our hearts go out to you in the most genuine way, because he was a gem, and he is a great loss to anyone who knew him. But I think that you can be consoled by the enormous privilege that it would have been to have Luch in your home as your husband, your father and your family member because he was absolutely just delightful to spend time with. Remember each and every minute that you had with him for the precious minute that it was. We are so sad for your loss.