Death of Richard Matthew Laffan

Mr PAUL LYNCH (Liverpool—Minister for Ageing, Minister for Disability Services, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs) [3.37 p.m.]: All members of this House would be aware that New South Wales and Australia lost one of its most talented and courageous citizens on the afternoon of Sunday 1 March 2009. Sadly, Matt Laffan passed away at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, aged just 38 years. I note the presence of friends and family in the gallery. Matt was born with a rare genetic disorder of the spine, diastrophic dysplasia. Medical opinion declared that he would not live beyond a week; Matt made a life of defying such odds. In fact, Matt redefined the odds.

In 38 years Matt Laffan's achievements are many. Indeed, in 38 years he lived centuries. He had a successful career as a lawyer in the Office of the New South Wales Director of Public Prosecutions. He was an advocate for the rights of people with a disability; he was ambassador for the Don't DIS my ABILITY campaign; he was a board member of Paraquad New South Wales and the disability advisory committee of Qantas; he was a member of the New South Wales Rugby Union judiciary; and he was a board member of the Disability Council of New South Wales. In those roles, particularly the latter, he was known and well respected by successive Ministers for disability services. Somehow Matt found the time to travel, most recently to Hawaii, and he loved his rugby union.

Matt was also a candidate for Sydney Lord Mayor in 2004. Of course, Matt was much more than a high achiever to those who knew him well. I know that Matt was highly respected and genuinely admired by members of the Disability Council of New South Wales and staff; they feel his loss deeply. He was appointed to the council in 2003 and reappointed in 2007. Andrew Buchanan asked me to say particularly that I should refer to the Disability Council as "Matt Laffan's fan club". Matt was able to draw on rich and diverse experiences in life, which gave him a depth and insight that people remember him for. He was a trailblazer who led by example but never sought praise or commendation for his inspiring leadership.

Matt never allowed himself to be defined, or limited, by his disability. A genuinely good person, Matt Laffan was a witty, friendly, open character with a passionate commitment to social justice and a determination to keep on achieving. He could, in the words of one of his colleagues, charm the birds out of the trees. Matt is an inspiration to us all. In his own words:

And I think the major point of destiny for me, in my own small way, is hopefully the kinetic energy I might pass on to others. So my own story might be a fairly simple one in the end, but if it rubs off on other people—those who've been close to me or those who've just come across me—and they go on to do greater and bigger things, well, that's a destiny in itself, which I believe in. I believe in that.

He will be sadly missed.

Mr GREG SMITH (Epping) [3.40 p.m.]: I acknowledge the passing of my good friend Matt Laffan. Matt worked at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for many years. I was the Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions for five years and before that a Crown prosecutor, and I worked with him in both capacities. Matt was a man with a disability who inspired all who knew him with his courage, his ability, his good humour, and his achievements. I acknowledge the presence in the public gallery today of the chair and members of the Disability Council of New South Wales, to whom Matt was very close.

Matt Laffan grew up in Coffs Harbour and had a brief career in community radio. As a prosecutor Matt was a terrier in court. He fought so hard for the victims of crime. He never took a backward step. Sometimes we had to say to him, "Calm down a bit, Matt. It's great that you've got that passion." He was a charming conversationalist and a true Christian, who did unto others what he would have them do unto him. He was a man who loved rugby, Irish music and St Patrick's Day. It is great that his friends from St John's College have set up a memorial scholarship for university students with a serious physical disability who possess a strength of leadership potential, with possible preference given to law students.

On his website Matt answered some frequently asked questions. One of them was: "Why are you so short?" His answer was: "That is the way I was born with a rare genetic disorder, but fortunately it doesn't matter so much about the size of the dog in the fight as much as the size of the fight in the dog!" Matt made some wonderful statements over the years. As he putted around town in his electric wheelchair, he said:

I am a man of contrasts. I love watching modern ballet and the celebrated mystery of bodies working with light, air and music. Whilst the robust contest of sport thrills me. I am committed to forging a path of my own making as an individual, but I passionately believe in the rights of others to collectively benefit from the opportunities that have been given to or created by me. I live, work and thrive on the CBD, but long for quiet spells in the mountains. I sense that it is all to be had and enjoyed, but I remain aware of the precarious balance that exists between having and not. I am buoyed by companionship but unafraid of solitude.

Matt put up a magnificent fight at the end. For two months he fought for his life, and in the end he went to his maker.

The SPEAKER: On behalf of the House I extend our condolences to the family and friends of Matt Laffan.

Members and officers of the House stood in their places as a mark of respect.
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The SPEAKER: Pursuant to Standing Order 117, I table a list detailing all legislation unproclaimed 90 calendar days after assent as at 4 March 2009.