CONDOLENCES

Ms COFFEY (Griffith) (11:08): I join with colleagues from both sides in mourning the passing of the honourable Bruce Baird AM, who passed on 2 October, aged 84. Bruce dedicated more than four decades to public service, serving in both the New South Wales and federal parliaments. He was a respected Liberal parliamentarian, a former New South Wales minister and a central figure in securing the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.

But today I particularly want to remember his compassion, his commitment to reconciliation and his lifelong advocacy for refugees and people seeking asylum. I had the privilege of meeting Bruce through his work with the National Apology Foundation, and over the years I came to know him better through the conversations we shared at the annual apology breakfast, where we often sat together.

Established in 2014, the foundation carries forward the spirit and commitments of the historic 2008 National Apology to the Stolen Generations. We heard earlier from the minister of Bruce Baird's support of the apology even in his maiden speech despite this potentially impacting on his political standing within his own party. We know that it was something that he really firmly believed in.

Bruce agreed to serve as the founding deputy chair of the National Apology Foundation, working alongside former prime minister Kevin Rudd, a demonstration of bipartisanship, support for reconciliation and closing the gap. I deeply respected Bruce Bruce's commitment to this work, as I know so many did. He recognised that the national apology was a profound moment in our history but that its promise required continued action.

Through the foundation. Bruce helped keep attention on the unfinished work of reconciliation, particularly addressing the inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians. He believed that party politics should never stand in the way of our shared responsibility to treat people with dignity and with respect.

Bruce was a strong advocate for refugees and asylum seekers. Peter Waters, Chair of the Asylum Seekers Centre, described Bruce beautifully, saying: Bruce Baird AM was a champion of our shared humanity, a unifier who brought people from all sides of politics together in the service of dignity and compassion. In 2005, Bruce was among a group of Liberal parliamentarians who advocated for changes to Australia's immigration detention policies, with a particular focus on children and families.

Having visited detention centres and spoken directly with people seeking asylum, Bruce brought compassion and a strong sense of fairness to his advocacy. His efforts contributed to changes that year and demonstrated his willingness to work across political divides to improve the lives of vulnerable people. His commitment to refugees and people seeking asylum continued long after he left parliament.

In 2008, just one year after retiring from politics, the Rudd Labor government appointed Bruce as the Chair of the Refugee Resettlement Advisory Council. In 2014, Bruce became patron of the Asylum Seekers Centre, a role he approached with great dedication. He was a generous donor, a regular presence at community events and a determined advocate who used his extensive relationships to bring the concerns of people seeking asylum directly to government and government ministers.

As Francis Rush, former CEO of the Asylum Seeker Centre, reflected: Bruce … possessed the rare ability to open doors, bridge divides, and command a genuine hearing from decision-makers for those seeking asylum. Bruce's commitment to bringing people together was particularly evident following the Cronulla riots in December 2005, which took place in his electorate of Cook.

In the aftermath of those terrible events, Bruce worked with community leaders from the Sutherland Shire and the Australian Lebanese community to rebuild trust and understanding. He helped establish a program bringing young Australians from different cultural backgrounds together through surf lifesaving. Reflecting in this place in 2006 on the riots, Bruce said: The Cronulla riots and the subsequent retaliatory attacks in the lead-up to Christmas last year were a wake-up call to us all.

These tragic and violent events showed us all that respect and harmony is not something that can just be relied on. It is beholden on all of us, as citizens, residents and community members—as Australians—to work towards a peaceable society, a society that we all feel is ours in common. Twenty years later, those words remain a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to confront racism and prejudice and to build a country where everyone knows that they belong.

Bruce's compassion and generosity extended well beyond politics. His children have spoken lovingly of a father who was warm, energetic, curious and always interested in the people around him. At his funeral this week, his daughter, Julia, shared a beautiful reflection: For him the line between stranger and friend was very thin.

To Mike, Julia and Steve and to his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all who loved him, I extend my sincere condolences. Bruce showed us that compassion can transcend political differences and that the Public Service offers extraordinary opportunities to improve people's lives. May he rest in peace.

Vale Bruce Baird.