Very sad news this morning, with the passing of my friend Rod Welford, former Queensland Labor Attorney-General and Minister for Environment, Education, Arts and more. Rod lived his passion for social justice and protecting our natural environment every day - before, during and after his long and successful Parliamentary and Ministerial service. His working life delivered lasting reforms that he and every Labor supporter were rightly proud of. He continued making a difference after politics, especially on energy efficiency and other environmental goals. On a personal level, Rod very generously supported me as his successor in the State seat of Everton, after 20 years of sterling local service. Rod remained a trusted source of advice, and a reminder of what Labor Governments should aspire to achieve, right up to our last messages to each other a few days ago. Rod was also the person who first connected - for me - environmentalism with Labor values, when I listened to him speak at a Young Labor Left event back in the 90s. It left a lasting impression and now, in my new role, turns out to have been very useful! I really wish he’d been around to see us deliver even more environmental reform. Thank you Rod - for everything you achieved, for your generosity to the world around you and for the opportunities and advice you gave me along the way. And thank you for showing us the importance of enjoying every single day on this earth. No one ever had more fun! To Gayle, Lisa and Rod’s family and friends, my sincere condolences for your loss. He will be missed.