CONDOLENCES

Mr McCORMACK (Riverina) (11:27): I mourn along with others the passing of an outstanding Australian, Bruce George Baird. Vale to a giant not just of Australian politics, not just of state politics, but also of business and community. Bruce Baird was somebody I had a lot to do with, given his chairmanship of the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator during the time I was Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development.

In February 2018, when I took on those roles, he welcomed my appointment, my election, and said: I look forward to working with the incoming Minister to deliver consistency across Australia's borders, reduce red tape for heavy vehicle operators and boost road safety for all road users. The word 'consistency' was something that was familiar in Bruce Baird's life because there was a consistency in his approach to things, whether it was sticking up for the battler, whether it was talking to or listening to a corporate boardroom or whether it was in a role as a minister himself.

He mentioned during that 26 February media release from the NHVR the fact that I represented regional Australia, and as a National Party member I also acknowledge the role he played to improve the lives and outcomes for people who do not live in metropolitan Australia. Bruce Baird, who grew up in Cronulla—who was educated at Winston College, Cronulla Public School and Sutherland Intermediate High School—lived in the city, yes, but knew the value and importance of regional Australia.

I appreciate that, and I appreciated always his candid nature. He didn't leave you wondering what he was thinking, but he did it in a very dignified and respectful way, always. He was so, so knowledgeable.

He was so across all of the issues, whether they were to do with heavy-vehicle licensing regulations or whether they were just about the community. I really did appreciate the forthright, frank and fair discussions that we had over time. We know that, before his political career, he was Assistant Trade Commissioner at the Australian embassy in Bonn, West Germany.

That was followed by an appointment as a trade commissioner at the Australian Consulate-General in New York and by other appointments. Before he arrived in the New South Wales parliament as the member for Northcott, he had so much community involvement. But, despite all the appointments and ministerial positions that he held—and his time as a good local member, which was followed by his time in the federal parliament between 1998 and 2007—Bruce was, first and foremost, a family man.

He will be very deeply mourned right across community life and right across the political spectrum. I know he is mourned, but he is mourned by none more so than his children. We've heard how much of a contribution his children have made.

Steve became chief executive officer of International Justice Mission Australia. Julia is a columnist with the Sydney Morning Herald and a former host of the ABC News program The Drum. Mike's endeavours extended into many areas, not least of which was his being Premier of New South Wales from 2014 to 2017.

He is also a former chief executive officer of HammondCare and has had involvement, of course, with cricket. Sadly, Bruce Baird's wife, Judy, passed away in 2021, and that was felt very keenly by the whole family. Bruce Baird had a big heart.

He was a man of great compassion. He was somebody who had a tremendous vision. He was a values proposition person.

And, despite rising to heady heights in politics, he never forgot the little person. He never, ever forgot the battler. He never forgot that person who needed some compassion shown when it came to getting citizenship or getting refugee status.

I know this extends to all of those he touched, all of those he influenced and all of those he inspired and motivated. And there are many, many of those people—especially his children. To Bruce Baird's family, to his very wide circle of friends and to those who just knew him as that person they saw on television standing up for their values or their interests, I extend my condolences.

I pass on my best wishes. Vale, a fine, fine Australian. Bruce Baird, you will be missed.