Late MP Bob Such remembered in South Australian Parliament tribute
Tribute has been paid in the South Australian Parliament to long-serving MP Bob Such, who died from a brain tumour this month.
He served the people of southern Adelaide, first as a Liberal and later as an independent, for close to 25 years.
Dr Such's wife Lyn, sons, brothers and electorate staff were in the gallery of Parliament House during the condolence motion.
More than a dozen Labor and Liberal MPs and two independents paid tributes in the House of Assembly, remembering Dr Such as a good, determined and courageous man.
Premier Jay Weatherill said Dr Such had shown dedication to public service and been known for his legislative initiative.
"Sadly we'll no longer see Bob rise in his place and speak as the member for Fisher to give notice of a private member's motion," he said.
Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis said Dr Such had been an excellent local MP who really listened to the concerns of his electorate.
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall recalled Dr Such's court battle against a speeding fine.
"The ordeal was symbolic of his bulldog determination to fight for what he believed in," he said.
Independent MP Geoff Brock was emotional as he spoke of Dr Such as a mentor and of how lonely it could be in Parliament as an independent member.
Liberals attacked for campaign tactics against Such
Tourism Minister Leon Bignell said Dr Such had been courteous, dignified and compassionate.
He took aim at the Liberal Party for the way it campaigned against Dr Such during the state election last March.
"It hurt him to the core. It distracted him from his campaign. He was terribly upset by it," Mr Bignell said of the tactics used.
Long-serving Liberal Iain Evans responded.
"The issues around the 2014 election I'll deal with in a debate another day," he said.
"Suffice to say, from my point of view, it was political and not personal, and I just want to make that clear to the House and to the family."
Mr Evans said it had been "stupid politics" when Dr Such lost his ministry in the former Liberal government.
He said the threat to Dr Such's preselection, which ultimately led him to turn independent, was a mistake.
Another senior Liberal Vickie Chapman said Dr Such had been the Parliament's most courteous MP.
Four former MPs - Lyn Breuer, Robyn Geraghty, Gay Thompson and Ivan Venning - returned to watch the condolences.
Dr Such won four elections as an independent, but took sick leave shortly after the March election because of his tumour diagnosis.
Labor was returned for a fourth consecutive term in SA with the backing of regional independent Geoff Brock and later bolstered its narrow majority by giving former Liberal leader Martin Hamilton-Smith a ministry.
Liberal candidate announced
Liberal Party staffer Heidi Harris has been preselected by the party to contest the December 6 by-election in Fisher.
The by-election is being held following the death of Dr Such.
Labor preselected anti-violence campaigner Nat Cook as its candidate.
Ms Harris is a mother of two and an advisor for Liberal frontbencher Duncan McFetridge.
Opposition Leader Steven Marshall said Ms Harris was up against five other candidates and her preselection was well deserved.
"I think when you have a look at Heidi Harris's CV it's exceptional, her connection with the local community is second to none and I think that has stood her in good stead for tonight's preselection," Mr Marshall said.
