Parliamentary proceedings have taken a back seat for a few moments as Anthony Albanese and Angus Taylor delivered heartfelt tributes to AFL legend Neale Daniher after the 65-year-old’s death on Monday.

Daniher battled motor neurone disease for 13 years after being diagnosed in 2013, taking his inspirational fight into the hearts of all Australians and launching countless initiatives to help find a cure to battle what he dubbed “The Beast”.

His efforts through Fight MND and The Big Freeze at the ‘G have raised more than $100 million dollars while also bringing hope to fellow sufferers.

Daniher was recognised for his courage and passion to advocate for MND research with an Australian of the Year honour in 2025.

A moment the Prime Minister said he was honoured to have been a part of.

“On behalf of the government and the people of Australia, I offer our heartfelt condolences to the Daniher family, his wife Jan, children Beck, Ben, Lauren and Luke, many grandchildren and wider family,” Mr Albanese said.

“They did so much to support the man that they loved so deeply.

“In 2013, after an extraordinary and decorated VFL/AFL career as both player and then coach, Neale Daniher was diagnosed with motor neurone disease. At that point, the average life expectancy was just 27 months.

“Instead, through 13 years, Neale fought what he called ‘The Beast’ with the courage, optimism, passion and courage that brought hope and inspiration into the lives of everyone affected by MND.

“The devastating impacts of motor neurone disease stole so much from Neale, but he held onto everything that people loved and admired about him. His selflessness, his bravery, his humour. His ability to look on the bright side and his fierce determination to make a difference for others, it was a profound honour for me to present Neale Daniher the Australian of the Year award in 2025.

“I think it is safe to say that there has never been an award so unanimously agreed to by every single Australian on that night. Richly-deserved recognition of course that Neale embraced, not as an accolade, but as a platform, a way to continue advocacy for a cure.

“Neale Daniher’s remarkable legacy lives all around us. The difference he made can be measured in the national awareness and the tens of millions of dollars that he and Fight MND have raised to research a cure. It can be counted in the tens of thousands of Big Freeze beanies that fill the MCG on the King’s Birthday weekend.

“Above all, it will be carried in the hearts of everyone who found new strength, and yes, new hope, in their fight because of the extraordinary example that Neale set.

“May this wonderful Australian rest in peace.”

The Opposition leader labelled Daniher the “fairest and best” on and off the field in his own speech straight after Mr Albanese.

“He was an incredible player, an outstanding coach, a family man and an all-round outstanding Australian,” he said.

“A Victorian of the Year, an Australian of the Year, his fundraising work was instrumental in helping Australians fight motor neurone disease. He fought ‘The Beast’, as the Prime Minister rightly described his way of characterising it, to the last, never waving a white flag and carrying on with his customary wit and grace.

“Neale was a fighter to the end. That MND fight will now carry on in so many who have been inspired by Neale. The sight of thousands of Melbournians with their Big Freeze beanies was a testament to Neale’s advocacy and awareness raising of this absolutely insidious disease.

“The Walk the Walk, The Big Freeze and the Fight MND are traditions thanks to Neale. He was a Best and Fairest on the footy field and in life. He was known as ‘The Reverend’. And ‘The Rev’ was revered for his passionate public speaking.

“We are thinking of those dearest to him as well. His wife, Jan, and his children, Lauren, Luke, Beck, and Ben. May you rest in peace.”

A moment of silence was held before parliament resumed.