Tributes, tears and a white rose have marked Don Randall's absence from federal parliament.
The West Australian Liberal MP died from a heart attack in July.
MPs remembered him as a loyal friend, a good but tough man, and strong community advocate.
But it was his empty seat, with a white rose placed by Queenslander Warren Entsch, which left many reflecting on the merits of political legacy.
Parliament has marked numerous deaths this year - including former prime ministers Gough Whitlam and Malcolm Fraser - but it was the rare occasion of a sitting member's death that left many of them pensive.
"There's a shock and a poignancy when we remember someone who was actually sitting among us just six weeks ago," Prime Minister Tony Abbott told parliament on Monday.
It was thanks to Mr Randall that parliament didn't sit on Fridays, he noted.
The then opposition MP was responsible for bringing a life-size cardboard cut-out of Kevin Rudd to highlight the disconnect between the former prime minister insisting parliament sit but not attending himself.
His motto in the electorate - "you talk, I listen" - was also widely observed.
"Over here ... there was sometimes a case of, `I'll talk, you listen' - at least to leaders," Mr Abbott said.
Cabinet minister Christopher Pyne said it was a reminder to all that life was short and must be seized.
Mr Randall's outspoken views were not forgotten.
Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop said that as the senior coalition member from WA, she had often been called upon to "have a word with Don", earning her the nickname "the Don tamer" from his staff.
She highlighted his softer, less public side, saying Mr Randall had an uncanny knack of knowing when his friends were down.
Others remembered Mr Randall's infamous comments about Cheryl Kernot, who he once described as having the morals of an alley cat.
His arguably greatest political foe, Labor MP Alannah MacTiernan, noted their shared interests and latter-day friendship.
Ms MacTiernan, who Mr Randall defeated in the seat of Canning at the 2010 election, joked of her surprise in learning of his appreciation for violins, bronco riding, roses, beekeeping and love of Cuban cigars.
"That's the unfortunate effects of the adversarial nature of our political model - you don't always see the lovely, soft side of your opponents," she said.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said while there was much that Labor and Mr Randall disagreed about, he had never doubted the strengths of the Liberal MP's convictions or advocacy.
Mr Randall had believed that parliament counted for something and the measure of political life was the difference made to the lives of the people you served, he said.
The Randall family was present to hear the condolence motion and some Liberal MPs were in tears during the tributes.
Parliamentary business, including question time, was largely suspended on Monday as a mark of respect.
