Mr MELHAM(5.49 p.m.) —I rise to pay tribute to a great Australian who passed away yesterday. Dr H.C. `Nugget' Coombs has been described as a planner of dreams, an inexhaustible resource, a rebel, and the most influential public servant in Australian history. An adviser to seven prime ministers, Nugget Coombs earned the respect of men as divergent in their world views as Bob Menzies and Gough Whitlam.

Nugget Coombs was a dedicated and passionate man who shared his wisdom without fear or favour. Nugget Coombs was an accomplished, hands-on economist who believed the economy should serve the people—and not the reverse.

As shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs it is fitting that I say a few words about Nugget Coombs' contribution to the advancement of indigenous Australians. Nugget Coombs was appointed to chair the Council for Aboriginal Affairs in 1968. From that moment, his life and work became more and more involved in the struggle to help indigenous Australians take control of their lives and make their own way in the nation.

So respected was he by indigenous Australians that he was the only whitefella invited to attend the crucial Eva Valley meeting in 1993, where an indigenous position on proposed native title legislation was hammered out. Nugget was a fearless advocate of what he called `Aboriginal autonomy'. He argued strongly that indigenous people should be empowered to take control of their own lives on their own terms. He was convinced that native title rights are essential to achieving that goal.

Nugget Coombs was a hardworking man. Even in the last few years before he suffered a stroke three years ago, he was still working eight-, 10- and 12-hour days—researching, writing and visiting remote Aboriginal communities, participating in the affairs of the Australian National University, or sharing his wisdom with the many politicians, businessmen, indigenous people and others who came to him for advice.

He has published countless articles and essays on issues related to indigenous affairs and was recognised as one of the leading authorities in a wide range of subject areas. The books he published include: Other People's Money; The Fragile Pattern; Trial Balance—his autobiography; A Certain Heritage—of which he was co-author; and The Return of Scarcity; as well as a collection of his works published in 1994 entitled Aboriginal Autonomy.

Nugget died on the same day the government's flawed native title legislation went through this House. The Prime Minister (Mr Howard) should read another of Nugget's works. It's called Kulinma: Listening to Aboriginal Australians. But I want to read from the preface to Aboriginal Autonomy. In 1994 Nugget wrote:

Greed, contempt for future generations and willingness to exploit racial antagonism in order to resist change have become, with honourable but few exceptions, the mark of the policies of those who desire to control the world's resources.

Mick Dodson, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, said of Nugget Coombs:

That old man must be respected. He is the white fellas most senior elder.

I think the last word should go to Nugget himself. Asked by Michael Gordon of the Australian newspaper how he would like to be remembered, Nugget Coombs said simply, `He was a good bloke.' In closing, I want to pay tribute to our most senior elder, Nugget Coombs: a good bloke whose contribution to Australian society cannot be overestimated; a public servant who did serve the public and the community in an exceptional manner. We salute you, Nugget.