Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, that's right. Ron never took no for an answer, but I did do it. Someone taught Ron how to use a mobile phone. That person definitely has some questions to answer. I had received all these calls. I thought, 'If I had an office in Brisbane, I would probably come home a lot of weeks after the Senate, walk into my office and there would be Ron at my desk directing my staff, continuing to work, because—as others said—he continued to work. He eventually forgave me for the decision to go to Rocky, after we won the seat of Capricornia in the 2016 election. But, as I said, he just kept going—a lesson for all of us as well.

I do want to pass on my condolences not only to Cathy and Sophie, who are here today, but also to Tom and William, who work in the frontiers of our country and couldn't be here today. Cathy called me not only to let me know but also because his family were keen to have a state funeral for Ron, which I think was well deserved. I do want to put on record my thanks to the Prime Minister, who listened to those requests and made that happen. The Prime Minister did not just make that happen but, as others have said, he came and attended the funeral as well, which was very good of him.

Ron's passing is a great loss, I believe, to all of us because he was someone who worked with everyone in this building for the betterment of this country, for the betterment of Australia, and particularly as a champion for the great state of Queensland. Vale, Ron Boswell.