The late federal MP Don Randall always believed that as a nation, and as individuals, we can do better. His life and career will continue to inspire us, writes his friend and colleague Bob Baldwin. Bob Baldwin is the Federal Member for Paterson and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment.

It is with a heavy heart that I write to make tribute to a long-term friend and parliamentary colleague, Don Randall MP.

Don was a great man, worthy of sincere and profound respect. We were very close over many years, having shared common experiences in Parliament: we were both first elected in 1996, we both lost in 1998, and we were the only two who came back in 2001 after losing in 1998. It was from here that we forged a very strong friendship, a bond, based on mutual respect and common interests.

During parliamentary sitting weeks in Canberra, I would often cook for Don; his favourite dish was my home-made Chilli con Carne with extra chilli. We would often share a meal and a glass of shiraz; Don also had a penchant for a Cuban cigar every now and then. But he would constantly engage me with his hearty banter and quick wit. And quick he was: there wasn't much, if anything, that would get past Don unnoticed.

Don's contribution to our nation and to his federal electorate of Canning will be remembered. I know one thing I remember from Don's maiden speech to the Federal Parliament in 1996 was that he rejected the former prime minister's assertion that this is "as good as it gets".

He always believed that as a nation, and as individuals, we can do better – when he returned to the Parliament back in 2001, it was about fighting for the working poor and making sure that everyone got a fair go. At times, Don was a crusader looking for a cause. He was always fighting for the underdog, uncompromising in his values and his belief system.

If I was describe Don with one word, it would be 'zest'. He had a great zest for life. He was a man very passionate about his family, his wife Julie, his two children Tess and Elliott, and his bulldog.

But he was also extremely passionate about his community. He worked tirelessly for the best interests of his home patch in Western Australia.

There was no cause that Don Randall believed in that he wouldn't fight for; he was a constant campaigner and a fantastic advocate for his electorate.

He was a proud West Australian, born and bred. This was a point of dissention in our friendship, when we would start to talk about wine and our favourite types of Shiraz. Don would always favour a drop from the Margret River in Western Australia, whilst I favoured wines from the Hunter region. He remained doggedly determined to win me over.

Don was a passionate advocate for the Clontarf Foundation, teaming up with Gerard Neesham and introducing him to members and senators in the Federal Parliament. Don secured substantial funding for the foundation when Brendan Nelson was the Education Minister; this was something Don was passionate about, helping improve the lives of those young Indigenous children, particularly in Western Australia.

Don understood the values of education, commitment to the community and making people the best that they could possibly be. This comes from his background as a teacher before entering into federal politics.

He was an inspirational mentor for many of his parliamentary colleagues, both newcomers and those who had served alongside him for many years. He was a man known for being extremely diligent to any task set before him, so is a fitting tribute to Don that we all be encouraged to stand for our beliefs, pursue what is right, and fight for what is worth fighting for.