FORMER Bowman MP, federal government minister and Redlands Labor identity Con Sciacca has been labelled a true believer and fearless warrior for the Labor cause.
Mr Sciacca, also a lawyer and businessman, died Wednesday after a long battle with cancer.
Opposition leader Bill Shorten said the party and Labor movement were mourning the loss of a party icon.
“We honour Con Sciacca’s life of service to others,” he said.
Mr Sciacca was elected to the House of Representatives in 1987, 1990 and 1993. He was defeated in 1996, re-elected in 1998 and 2001 but defeated again in 2004.
He was veterans’ affairs minister and appointed parliamentary secretary to portfolios including social security, arts, administrative service and minister assisting the treasurer.
Mr Shorten said Con was a much-loved member of the Labor family.
“A mentor, a friend, a constant source of wise counsel for prime ministers, premiers, generations of Labor parliamentarians and indeed people in public life right across the political spectrum,” he said.
Mr Sciacca was close friends with former Liberal party numbers man Santo Santoro and launched a business with National Party president Larry Anthony.
Mr Shorten said he would always be grateful for Mr Sciacca’s friendship, support and for what he taught him.
“For 15 years, in two different stints Con served as the member for Bowman and as minister for veterans affairs in the Keating Government,” he said.
“He remains widely regarded as one of Australia’s best veterans affairs ministers and his work on the Australia Remembers campaign, honouring the courage and sacrifice of Australians who served in WWII, is still the gold standard for the respect we show those who served our nation.”
Mr Shorten said Mr Sciacca always relished the opportunity to celebrate his Italian heritage and Australia’s great multicultural character.
“As a successful man from humble beginnings, Con shared a deep affinity for all who come to this country seeking a better life for their families and enriching Australia as a result,” he said.
“Con was always one of those people who excelled in everything he turned his hand to in the law, politics and as a highly-successful businessman.
“But his great and diverse success never changed him. His essential qualities (of) resilience, loyalty, good humour, love of family held true, always.”
Mr Shorten said the Labor family sent its love to Con’s family.
“His wife Karen amazed us all with her strength and devotion throughout his illness and she is in our hearts today.
“We offer our deepest sympathies to Con’s daughter Zina, his adored granddaughter Grace and his step-sons Daniel and Nicholas Toth.
“Con fought the good fight longer and tougher than most. We will all miss him.”
Mr Sciacca was born on June 13, 1947 in Sicily, Italy. He migrated in 1951.
Apart from law, he also worked as a bank officer, labourer, hotel and mine worker.
He was Queensland Young Labor president in 1972 and held many roles at state and federal level.
Mr Sciacca is survived by wife Karen, daughter Zina and a large extended family.
