WA politicians from both state and federal levels have reacted with shock at the sudden death of their colleague Don Randall.
Member for Darling Range Tony Simpson worked closely with Mr Randall and said he had been his mentor who worked tirelessly for his community.
“He was larger than life and when he had an issue he let the world know about it and he was like a dog with a bone, he wouldn’t let it go,” he said.
“He was a great mentor to me and he’s pretty much the reason why I am a member of parliament today, he taught me everything I know about it all and he was an amazing man.”
Member for Armadale Tony Buti worked on several issues with Mr Randall including traffic issues at Denny Avenue in Kelmscott and said despite being on different sides of the political fence they got on ‘like a house on fire’.
“I’m absolutely shocked, I saw him last week at the opening of the history museum on Armadale,” he said.
“He and I got on very well together and we actually worked together on a couple of things and met up occasionally for a coffee and a chat about the area.
“Don Randall worked all parts of the electorate as a very good and conscientious federal member.”
Federal member for Hasluck Ken Wyatt said Mr Randall was a man committed to his electorate, to his family and to the people who meant so much to him.
Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons said Mr Randall was a loveable rogue and a man with a good heart.
“Don Randall will be forever missed by all those who knew him,” he said.
Federal Member for Tangney Dennis Jensen said he was shocked and saddened by Mr Randall’s passing.
“My sincerest condolences to his family, friends and the electorate of Canning,” he said.
Federal Member for Perth and former state member for Armadale Alannah MacTiernan contested Mr Randall for the Canning seat in the 2010 election.
She said they were political foes for some time but when she entered federal politics after the 2013 election they were amicable.
“We enjoyed good relations over the last 18 months since I entered parliament and I think that was much to our mutual surprise,” she said.
Ms MacTiernan praised Mr Randall on his representation of Canning.
“It’s a seat that is really hard work and Don has to be given credit to the amount of effort he put in to represent it,” she said.
– Amy Blom and Hamish Hastie
