UNDOUBTEDLY one of the most passionate fighters for his electorate in Federal Parliament, Alby Schultz passed away last Tuesday, aged 76.
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He was the longest serving Federal Member for Hume, which he once famously described as being ‘the same size as Belgium’.
The former abattoir worker was first elected into the Cootamundra Shire Council in 1983, served as Member for Burrinjuck from 1988- 1998 and served a record 15 years as the Federal Member for Hume from 1998-2013, a total of 32 years of public service.
Political mentors and colleagues paid tribute to Mr Schultz during the week.
Current serving Federal Member for Hume, Angus Taylor said that Mr Schultz, as the longest serving member of the Federal electorate of Hume, would be remembered for his extraordinary service to the people of the region, his towering strength of character and a great love for his family and country.
“When I spoke to Alby a few weeks ago, he was, as always, talking about helping people, particularly those without a voice,” Mr Taylor said.
“This time it was how we could help men with prostate cancer in the Riverina area.
He was trying to solve problems right to the end.
Despite his sickness, he would only reluctantly talk about himself. He was to me as much a parish priest as an MP.
He gained energy from helping others, that enormous energy for which he is so well known.
As I move around the electorate, I hear from so many people about the help he gave them.
"I first met Alby in Parliament House in Canberra, with NSW Senator Bill Heffernan. He was a straight shooter.
"He was a genuine conviction politician and I think that’s the highest compliment you can give anyone in this business.
"Alby’s unrelenting strength was clearly demonstrated through his long battle with cancer.
Whatever the expert medical predictions, he was always beating them.
He was as tough as boot leather, but with an underlying gentleness that few ever saw.
My deepest sympathy goes to Alby’s wonderful wife Glo, their children Grant and Dean and their partners Bec and Deb, and Alby and Glo’s five grandchildren.”
Friend and mining magnate Gina Rinehart also paid tribute.
“Alby Schultz was a courageous man who was true to his country, his values and beliefs and a truly wonderful friend,” she said.
“Alby was a patriot, a fighter, always unafraid to stand up for what was right.
His kind wife Glo and sons Dean and Grant and friends have supported him throughout this hard and very sad fight with cancer.
He will be incredibly missed, including by me.”
Herself a former Member for Burrinjuck and now the Member for Cootamundra and Parliamentary Secretary for Southern NSW, Katrina Hodgkinson acknowledged his passing.
“With more than 24 years of representative experience in both the NSW and Federal Parliaments, Mr Schultz had a wealth of experience in regional NSW,” she said.
“Mr Schultz was a very forthright and active member for the State Electorate of Burrinjuck and he brought these same qualities into the Federal Parliament when he won the seat of Hume in 1998.
In both Parliaments, Mr Schultz was a strong contributor to Parliamentary committees, particularly in the role of Deputy Chair of the Primary Industries and Resource Committee. I extend my deepest sympathy and heartfelt condolences to his beloved wife, Gloria, their sons, partners and family.”
The man famous for giving Mr Schultz his start in politics, Wal Fife, himself a former Member for Hume from 1984- 1993 was also kind in his tribute.
Mr Fife knew Mr Schultz for more than 30 years.
“After the election, I sought advice from Harold Conkey, a former Mayor of Cootamundra and owner of the Abattoirs where Alby was employed,” Mr Fife recalled.
“Mr Conkey immediately recommended Alby, but said if he was appointed, I ‘should take the day off to answer all the telephone calls from people telling me I’d made a mistake’.
Mr Conkey also said that if Alby was appointed, he would be the greatest asset the Liberal Party could have.”
He was a strong and faithful Member of Parliament during his 25 years of parliamentary service.
He always called it for what it was and I found him a most reliable person to deal with.
Alby was always in front with his advice. While I often gave him advice, he was always his own man. I will miss him greatly.”