I commemorate a tragic chapter in Australian political history, the assassination of John Newman, the former member for Cabramatta. It has been 30 years to the month since John was murdered, an event widely acknowledged as Australia's first political assassination. John Newman was born on 8 December 1946 in Villach, Austria. He arrived in Australia at age four, settling in Cabramatta and attending Cabramatta Public School and Liverpool Boys High School. Raised in a working-class family, the labour movement was a large part of John's life, spending much of it as a union official. He completed postgraduate studies in industrial law at the University of Sydney and undertook a variety of Trade Union Training Authority education programs. He was elected as an alderman to Fairfield City Council in 1977 and remained on the council for 10 years. He became deputy mayor in 1985 and served as acting mayor in 1986.

He was elected to the New South Wales Parliament as the member for Cabramatta in 1986. In his inaugural speech, he detailed the needs of his disadvantaged, multicultural electorate—themes that he would pursue relentlessly over his eight years in office. He championed social justice and worked to improve housing and reduce unemployment. John was an active member of the community, regularly out and about in his electorate and always approachable. I was a constituent of John's during his entire time in office, and I had the chance to meet him once, albeit very briefly. I assume I am like many in this place in that, as a 10-year-old, I had an unusual ability to recognise our local political representatives. On election day 1991 John was working the voters outside Bonnyrigg Public School, where my parents had ducked in to vote. I went over to John and said hi, and he said hello back.

It was around this time that Cabramatta had started to become synonymous with the heroin trade and gang activity. John Newman took a firm and fearless stand against those issues. His stance made him a target for criminal elements in the area, particularly the drug syndicates and gang members who thrived in the shadows. Despite numerous threats on his life, John refused to be intimidated, and he continued to speak out against the forces that were corrupting Cabramatta and the surrounding suburbs. It was that bravery and refusal to back down that ultimately led to his assassination. On the night of 5 September 1994, John was returning from a local branch meeting—something many of us do most weeks—when he was shot dead in the driveway of his Cabramatta home. That brutal act sent shock waves through the nation and underscored the severe risks faced by politicians who confront the underbelly of society. His assassination led to significant changes in how we approach crime and corruption in New South Wales, particularly in regions like Cabramatta.

In the years following his death, a concerted effort was made by both State and Federal governments to crack down on organised crime and gang violence in the area. Cabramatta is now a bustling commercial hub, home to some of the greatest food, produce and shopping anywhere in Australia. It is a go-to destination for many wanting to experience the best of multicultural Western Sydney. Sadly, that is something John never lived to see. John's dedication to his constituents and his refusal to compromise in the face of danger stand as lessons for all of us in public service. In the age of Trump, we cannot ignore the fact that threats against politicians have increased in recent years. Across the globe, there has been a troubling rise in political violence, with leaders, representatives and advocates often targeted simply for doing their jobs.

Here in Australia, the atmosphere of political discourse has become more heated, with abuse and threats becoming an all-too-common occurrence in the lives of those serving the public. John stubbornly refused to give in to a public campaign of threats and intimidation. He relentlessly pursued criminal elements he believed had infiltrated many areas of the community, including the local political establishment. As leaders, we have to be steadfast in the face of concerted and coordinated public campaigns intended to intimidate and silence MPs when they speak up, and seek to stamp out serious misconduct and corruption in local politics. It is essential that we continue to advocate for better security measures, more comprehensive mental health support and a political environment where differing views can be expressed without fear of intimidation and violence. John's story is a reminder that standing up for what is right is never easy or without risk, but it is always worth it.