Tribute to Grant Lee

The Hon. CAMERON MURPHY ( 10:08 :56 ): I move:

(1)That this House notes with sadness that on 3 September 2025 at age 60, Mr Grant Lee, a former Mayor of Bankstown, passed away in Bankstown Hospital after succumbing to an illness lasting several weeks.

(2)That this House notes that:

(a)Mr Lee was a true believer of the Australian Labor Party;

(b)Mr Lee served with distinction in public life as North Ward councillor for several terms, ultimately becoming mayor of Bankstown City from September 1995 to September 1996;

(c)significantly, Mr Lee was instrumental in opposing the Liberal Government proposal for Holsworthy as the second Sydney airport, as aircraft noise would have had a deleterious effect on the community in Bankstown, and the closure of Bankstown Airport would have caused significant loss of local jobs;

(d)Mr Lee also organised the Bankstown Memorial to recognise the Bombing of Darwin in 1942 and did foundational work for the establishment of Paul Keating Park;

(e)as a member of the Australian Labor Party for more than 40 years, Mr Lee was a champion of Labor values and he always promoted fairness and opportunities for those less well off;

(f)Mr Lee was known as someone who consistently put the interests of the Labor Party ahead of his own and was always an enthusiastic and hard worker for the election of others;

(g)Mr Lee believed Labor was the vehicle for social change that would best deliver for his community and dedicated his life to it;

(h)after his time on Council, Mr Lee continued to serve the local Bankstown community on the committee for the Bankstown City Lions FC, and his family had a longstanding relationship with the Yagoona Lions Football Club;

(i)Mr Lee was a doting father to his daughter Brooke and the best bloke to have around for a barbecue;

(j)Mr Lee was a lifelong Bulldogs supporter;

(k)Mr Lee served as President and Secretary of various Labor Party branches over the years and was a regular delegate to ALP State Conference and National Conference; and

(l)Mr Lee had a profound impact on the Labor Party in Bankstown, working on campaigns for and becoming friends with many prominent people in public life including:

(i)Alan Ashton, former member for East Hills;

(ii)Linda Downey and Ian Stromborg, former councillors;

(iii)all of the current Labor councillors on Bankstown Council;

(iv)Daryl Melham, former member for Banks;

(v)the Hon. Paul Keating, former Prime Minister of Australia;

(vi)the Hon. Bob Carr, former Premier of New South Wales;

(vii)the Hon. Jason Clare, MP;

(viii)the Hon. Cameron Murphy;

(ix)Ms Lynda Voltz, MP;

(x)the Hon. Tony Burke, MP; and

(xi)amongst many others.

(3)That this House offers its condolences to his mother Melva, father Allen, brother Michael, sister Naomi, his wife Lee-Ann and their daughter Brooklyn.

Motion agreed to.