Ministerial Statement

Such, Hon. R.B.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers) (14:25): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement about Dr Bob Such.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: It was with great sadness that we learnt last Saturday of the passing of Dr Bob Such, member for Fisher and former minister for employment, training and further education. Since that day there has been a remarkable outpouring of grief for this warm and principled man, especially in his southern suburbs seat. For Bob was, indeed, a real gentleman in the truest possible sense, a gentle person with a generosity of spirit that people could immediately sense was genuine and heartfelt. In addition, the word 'integrity' has occurred frequently in the many tributes to him, for there is no doubt that he was held in very high esteem to which we can all aspire.

Dr Bob Such's PhD from Flinders University was in politics but rather than simply observe politics from afar or teach it or write about it, Bob did politics—and he did so wonderfully because in life he was an exemplar of what people wanted from a local member of parliament: principled, scrupulously fair, hardworking and intensely loyal to his electorate. Quite rightly he was loved for those qualities.

It is not yet certain how South Australia will honour Dr Bob Such. There is no doubt that we will find a fitting manner to do so but at this time it is important that we reflect today that Bob honoured us in this chamber through his work in the other place as a fellow politician whose character transcended the petty divides and inconsequential sideshows that sometimes occur in politics.

A further date for a condolence motion will be arranged after further discussions with his family. Our thoughts are with Bob's wife Lyn and his family at this sad time.