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Alby Schultz dies at 76

Retired NSW Federal Liberal MP Alby Schultz has died at the age of 76.

Mr Schultz, who held the NSW state electorate of Burrinjuck from 1988 to 1998, and the federal electorate of Hume from 1998 to 2013, died on Tuesday after a long battle with cancer.

Current federal member for Hume, Angus Taylor, said Mr Schultz would be remembered for his extraordinary service to the people of our region, his towering strength of character and his great love of his family and his country.

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In a tribute on Facebook, Mr Schultz’s son, Grant, said he departed with grace and dignity on his own terms.

“Today I said goodbye to a great man, a wonderful father and loving grandfather,” he said.

Albert John Schultz, born in 1939, was a meatworker and councillor with the Cootamundra Shire from 1983 to 1991.

He entered NSW state politics in 1988 as member for the NSW seat of Burrinjuck and then transferred to federal politics as member for the seat of Hume in 1998.

Mr Schultz was a colourful and feisty MP, a staunch monarchist and inaugural patron of the anti-wind farm group the Waubra Foundation.

In 2003, he lost an eye after a mishap with hydrochloric acid while cleaning a swimming pool.

He subsequently appeared around parliament sporting an eye patch before a prosthetic eye was fitted.

He was regularly in the news for a variety of reasons.

He was one of seven Liberal MPs who boycotted parliament on the day Labor Prime Minister Kevin Rudd delivered his apology to the Stolen Generations.

In 2009, he was alleged to have shirt-fronted a fellow Liberal MP during a heated party-room debate on three-cornered contests where both Liberal and Nationals candidates stand against a Labor candidate.

Ahead of the 2013 election, Mr Schultz announced he would quit politics.

Shortly before leaving parliament, it was revealed he was suffering from inoperable cancer of the liver, prostate and oesophagus.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott paid tribute to Schultz after the sad news was confirmed.

“Albert ‘Alby’ Schultz was a very highly regarded and well respected Member of the House of Representatives. He will be sorely missed,” he said.

“A man of sound judgement and strong character, Alby was as much at home in the shearing shed, the local pub, and the corridors of Parliament House.

“He started out working in abattoirs and brought an earthy common sense to public life.

“On behalf of the Coalition, I extend our sympathies to his wife, Gloria, their children Dean and Grant and their five grandchildren.”

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