Angus Taylor has paid tribute to former Federal Member for Hume Alby Schultz on the news of his passing today in Cootamundra.

“As the longest serving member of the Federal electorate of Hume, Alby Schultz will be remembered for his extraordinary service to the people of our region, his towering strength of character and his great, great love of his family and his country,” Mr Taylor said.

“When I spoke to Alby a few weeks ago, he was, as always, talking about helping people, particularly those without a voice. This time it was how we could help men with prostate cancer in the Riverina area. He was trying to solve problems right to the end. Despite his sickness, he would only reluctantly talk about himself.

“He gained energy from helping others, that enormous energy for which he is so well known. As I have moved around the electorate, I hear from so many people about the help he gave them.

“I first met Alby in Parliament House in Canberra, with NSW Senator Bill Heffernan. He was a straight shooter. You knew exactly where you stood with him and I guess, in many ways, he reflected the values and characteristics of my own father. He asked for loyalty, but he gave it as well.

“He was a genuine conviction politician and I think that’s the highest compliment you can give anyone in this business.

“Alby’s unrelenting strength was clearly demonstrated through his long battle with cancer. Whatever the expert medical predictions, he was always beating them. He was as tough as boot leather, but with an underlying gentleness that not everyone saw.

“My deepest sympathy goes to Alby’s wonderful wife Glo, who Alby acknowledged was so central to his effectiveness as a representative, also to his children Grant and Dean, their partners Bec and Dev, and his five grandchildren.

“I know many people will want to pay their respects to Alby. There will be condolence books at my electorate offices in Cowra and Goulburn, as well as at my Parliament House office in Canberra. I invite any and all members of the public who wish to express their sympathy to the Schultz family or share their memories of Alby, to please feel very welcome to do so.”

Alby Schultz was the Federal Member for Hume from 1998 to 2013, the Member for Burrinjuck from 1988 to 1998, and was elected to the Cootamundra Shire Council in 1983.