Mr ABBOTT (Warringah—Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): I rise to support the Prime Minister's words of condolence for the late Lionel Bowen. Lionel Bowen was the kind of Labor man people could disagree with but not fail to respect. He served his country with distinction in all three tiers of government ending up as the Deputy Prime Minister of our country. He was a man of great capability, but a man of great humility as well who was never full of himself, never flashy and never had ideas above his station. He lived in the same house for 73 of his 89 years, firstly, with his deserted mother and, then, with his wife, Claire, and eight children. Family, neighbourhood, church and political party were the hallmarks of his life. It is tempting to say that people like Lionel Bowen are an endangered species, but I hope that that is not the case. Certainly it should not be the case, because people like Lionel Bowen improve everything they touch and they add lustre to our public life. Lionel Bowen was a great Australian, he was a great Labor man and he is much missed by all Australians. Question agreed to, honourable members standing in their places. Debate adjourned.