Jeff Shaw could have been Premier of NSW and perhaps PM of Australia. He was one of Australia's finest politicians. He resigned from his job as Attorney General, saying that he had not been elected to jail the poor and disadvantaged. It broke his heart when international groups succeeded in increasing Australia's jail population after his resignation.

I am deeply saddened to have watched Mr Shaw slip away at such a young age and at the hand of ill health. Mr Shaw was an utterly intelligent and decent man, my first supervisor at law and my mentor. I shall always be grateful to have been guided by this excellent and generous soul right from the start of my career. In memory of his excellent spirit, may he finally rest in peace.