I acknowledge the Hon. Brian Langton, MP, former member for Kogarah, and pay my respects to his family and friends today. I joined the Australian Labor Party at the age of 21 and was very much involved in Young Labor. Brian was one of the many MPs whom I looked up to and who very much inspired me. I then went on to work for former member of Kogarah Cherie Burton, where I came across Brian quite often and was lucky enough to work with him again. Brian was born on 21 January 1948 in Maroubra. The former mayor and long-serving State Labor member for Kogarah and Minister in the Carr Government passed away at the age of 75.

Educated at Marist College Kogarah, Brian began his political career when he was elected to Kogarah City Council, in 1971, at the age of 23. He served on the council for 12 years and as mayor in 1979 and 1980. Brian was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1983 and retired in March 1999. After serving as shadow transport Minister, Brian was appointed Minister for Transport and Minister for Tourism when Labor came to government in 1995. He performed those roles until December 1997, when he was appointed Minister for Fair Trading and Minister for Emergency Services. In April 1998 Brian resigned from Cabinet and did not seek re-election for Kogarah. In 2008 he was appointed chairman of Sydney Ferries Corporation.

To prepare for this speech, I reached out to former Premier and member for Lakemba the Hon. Morris Iemma and former member for Kogarah Cherie Burton, who gave me some beautiful insights on Brian. Morris advised that Brian took politics seriously but never lost sight of the lightheartedness of life. Whether it was for friend or foe, he was famous for his quips. It was never personal. He made things lighthearted, whether on the floor of Parliament or in caucus. When there was robust debate on a bill or proposal, Brian would always add humour to de-escalate. Morris advised that Brian loved telling and sharing stories and would interject at the tensest times to brighten the place up. He was a travelling minstrel with his guitar. His office was a place of hospitality, always open for a drink, music and a chat.

Shadow Minister for Transport and then Minister, Brian was an instigator of cashbacks for tolls for the M4 and M5. That election commitment is what helped win the election. He was an avid Swans supporter and a big AFL supporter. He was always a massive supporter of St George Hospital for funding, resources and rebuilding. He caught the train everywhere, spruiked public transport all the time and put it to public use, even though he had a ministerial driver. I believe Brian was the first Minister who rolled out the "made them here" new carriages for the Tangara trains. Brian was a strong advocate for local procurement, particularly in rural areas. Brian reached out across political divides, which we have heard about today. He had his own diet of cigarettes, chocolate bars and Coca-Cola. Morris reminded me that Brian was genuinely loved in the electorate and loved by all.

Former member of Kogarah Cherie Burton, who is present today in the advisers area, said that Brian was a mentor to her. She said that when she was first elected, she was overwhelmed and Brian said to her, "Don't worry. In six months, you'll have it down pat." He was always there for her for advice and support. She called him the father of Kogarah. The member for Heffron referred to Brian's tally room expertise and skills, particularly on election nights. Cherie reminded me that Brian ran the tally room with his pencil for all of Cherie's and Chris Minns's elections and could do it faster and tell them whether they had won before any computer system could. She says he loved representing her and Chris at functions and on the local traffic committee. Brian loved regaling people with stories of when the traffic committee was not listening to him about the issues the community needed fixed. He would thump his fist on the table and read the committee the riot act. Suffice to say he would always get the right outcome.

Brian especially loved representing Chris at functions. During the last State election campaign, on one particular night, he attended a Chinese function in Hurstville, where he gave a rousing speech and was up dancing with everyone until late into the evening. The next day the electorate office got a call requesting that Brian represent Chris at its next function. After politics, he continued to dedicate his life to volunteering and community advocacy, including combining his two great loves, Kogarah and footy. Brian was a member of the AFL NSW/ACT judiciary for 20 years and served as the president of St George AFL. He volunteered for the Wayside Chapel, Lifeline, Meals on Wheels and St Vincent de Paul, and at countless local events. Brian is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, daughters Davina, Adele and Celia, and his seven beautiful grandchildren. To Brian's loved ones, my thoughts are with you and I pass on my deepest condolences. Thank you, Brian, for your public service and your dedication to the Australian Labor Party. Rest in peace, mate.