DEATH OF THE HONOURABLE KEITH JAMES ENDERBURY,
A FORMER MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Page: 8171
Ministerial Statement
Mr WHELAN (Strathfield—Minister for Police) [4.08 p.m.], by leave: It is with great regret that I inform the House that the Hon. Keith Enderbury, a former member of the Legislative Council, passed away at 3.20 this afternoon at Concord hospital. At the time of his death members of his family were at his bedside. His death followed injuries that he received in an incident that occurred in Ashfield last night. On behalf of all members of this Parliament I offer my condolences to Keith's family and his friends, including his many friends in the Australian Labor Party. Keith served the New South Parliament for 11 years, from March 1984 to March 1995. He was Opposition Whip from 1989 to 1995. He was also a member of the Standing Committee on Social Issues. Keith's longstanding involvement with the Labor Party goes back to the early 1970s. He is a former branch president, ALP organiser, State Electorate Council secretary and campaign director for many by-elections including, I might add with great sadness, many elections I had in Ashfield. I know that I speak for all honourable members when I say that our thoughts are with Keith's family.
Mr ARMSTRONG (Lachlan) [4.09 p.m.]: On behalf of the Leader of the Opposition, the Leader of the National Party and Opposition members, I join the Leader of the House in expressing deepest sympathy at the death of the Hon. Keith Enderbury. Life deals many cruel blows: who would have thought 48 hours ago that Keith Enderbury would be killed in an horrific incident? Our hearts go out to his family. We recognise the contribution that Keith Enderbury made in this Parliament. As I often say on such occasions, everyone who comes to this place contributes to the process of democracy. They come to Parliament with the best intentions of representing the people who put them here, and they do that in their own way. Keith Enderbury fulfilled that role with honesty and integrity at all times. He was respected not only by honourable members on both sides of the House but by the parliamentary staff and vast parliamentary infrastructure. He was also respected by the press. I think the greatest accolade one can earn in this world is the respect of one's peers during one's lifetime. Keith Enderbury earned that respect. It is very sad that, on the eve of the Olympic Games, we should lose someone who contributed significantly and dramatically to the good governance of this State.
Members and officers of the House stood in their places.