Today we have lost one of Australia’s finest with the passing of Tim Fischer AC. Tim was a giant of The National Party, he was a giant of Australia, but more than that, he was a champion for regional and rural communities. Regional Australia had no better friend than Tim. He was a proud Australian who embodied the very best qualities of loyalty, kindness, empathy, courage and humility. He loved Australia as much as Australians loved him and that passion for his country was evident throughout his life and career. There are few people who have had the impact on The National Party and indeed this great nation as Tim Fischer AC. His presence was felt in every room he entered and his name and legacy will continue to benefit those who choose regional and rural Australia as their home. My heartfelt thoughts are with Tim’s wife Judy, sons Harrison and Dominic and his many friends across Australia. The man from Boree Creek will be sorely missed. Vale Tim Fischer AC.

Vale the Hon Tim Fischer AC The Nationals family and our nation have today lost a truly great Australian with the very sad passing of the Hon Tim Fischer AC. Tim Fischer was a soldier, a farmer, a politician, a leader, an ambassador, an author, a husband, a father and above all a person of great dignity and honour. He personified the true Australian spirit. A spirit he espoused right to the end. We pay great tribute and honour to Tim Fischer’s life of service to our nation – from battlefields on foreign lands to the halls of the Commonwealth Parliament – he was an outstanding, dedicated and remarkable Australian. Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Tim’s wife Judy and two children Harrison and Dominic at this very sad time.

Tim Fischer was a dear friend. Jenny and I are deeply saddened by Tim’s passing. Tim Fischer was a big Australian in every sense of the word. Big in stature, big in his belief, big in his passion, big in his vision for what Australians could achieve and big in his view of Australia’s place in the world. As a result, Tim Fischer will forever cast a big shadow on our nation. Jenny and my thoughts and those of our entire nation are with Tim’s wife Judy, their sons Harrison and Dominic and his extended family and many friends. Thank you Tim, we loved you very much.

Great to catch up with Kochie at Sunrise to chat about Australia’s future - I want Australians to have as much control over their future as possible; to be free to be who they are and make their own way. + My take on balancing work and precious family time, our plan for a cleaner world and a recycling system that actually works, and some of the issues that keep me up at night.