Tribute to Grant Lee

Ms LYNDA VOLTZ ( Auburn ) ( 18:26 :58 ): I pay tribute to Grant Lee, a true lion of Bankstown. I have known Grant Lee for most of his life. He started school at Birrong Primary School in 1971 and immediately became inseparable from my younger brother, Anthony. The two of them would later insist they always had a laugh, but anyone who knew them back then would understand that was their code for being the cheekiest pair of students Birrong had ever seen. From the beginning, Grant had a mischievous spark and was never short of an opinion. Grant carried that same spark throughout his life. After Birrong, he went on to De La Salle College at Bankstown and, like me, he joined the Australian Labor Party as a teenager. His belief in fairness, community and grassroots democracy was not something that developed over time; it was in him from the start.

He was especially close to the former member for Auburn Peter Nagle, whom he worked alongside, and he held former Prime Minister Paul Keating, and member for Blaxland, in the highest regard. Those who knew Grant can tell of how relentless he was when he believed in a cause. He would chase down MPs, demand updates and never let go of an issue until it was resolved. One issue he relentlessly asked me about was an underpass at the intersection of Hume Highway and Rookwood Road in Bankstown, a much-needed piece of infrastructure that still has not materialised. Grant was always frustrated at seeing south-west Sydney—home to millions—continually left behind.

Grant was elected to Bankstown Council in 1991, representing the north ward for 19 years. He was elected mayor from September 1995 to September 1996 and later served two terms as deputy mayor. He was not one for pomp or protocol; in fact, he could barely stand it. During his time as mayor, he instructed staff to scrap the traditional VIP Australia Day luncheon and open it up to the public instead. He believed the people deserved a seat at the table—literally. Outside of council chambers, he was known for his humour, his irreverence and a refusal to take himself too seriously. One classic story comes from a conference in Adelaide, where Grant was invited to a fine dining event at an exclusive restaurant. The table featured $500 bottles of wine, but Grant arrived wearing his trademark baseball cap and carrying a can of Coke. He was politely asked to leave by the tuxedo‑wearing host, and anyone who knew Grant can probably picture the smirk on his face as he walked out.

He was a true community man, involved in everything from politics to football. A lifelong supporter of the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Grant also gave countless hours to the Bankstown City Lions Football Club. From his early days with Yagoona Lions to his years on the Lions committee, Grant helped shape the football culture of the region. He was a Lion in more ways than one: loyal, protective, and fiercely committed to his people. Grant also played a pivotal role in preserving local history, particularly through the Bankstown memorial commemorating the 1942 bombing of Darwin. He believed that communities needed to remember where they came from in order to know where they were going. Grant never lost touch with his roots. He left school after year 12 and worked a variety of jobs: in a pizza parlour, in consulting and even in nursing. He did not climb up some elite political ladder. He walked the streets of Bankstown, talked to the people and earned their respect. Council staff still tell stories about his disregard for bureaucratic red tape and his ability to make everyone laugh while getting things done.

Grant Lee passed away at Bankstown hospital just after turning 60. His death followed a weeks-long illness and has shaken all who knew him. I pass on the deepest condolences of the New South Wales Parliament to his wife Lee-Ann, daughter Brooklyn—who is currently doing her HSC—his parents, Melva and Allen, and his siblings, Michael and Naomi. Grant was a friend, a fighter and a fearless advocate for Bankstown. His legacy will live on in every street, every park and every community meeting where someone stands up and speaks their mind without fear, because that is what Grant would have done. Vale, Grant Lee.

TEMPORARY SPEAKER ( Ms Donna Davis ): I thank the member for Auburn. It was sad to hear of the passing of Grant. He was such a strong advocate for Bankstown and Western Sydney. The last conversation I had with him was just a few months ago, and that was about his beloved football and trying to support someone in the local area who needed help. I, too, share my condolences.