A strong advocate for human rights, Mr Hayes said he was disappointed - despite his best efforts - to not have secured the release of Van Kham Chau during his time in parliament.

Mr Chau, a 72-year-old from Western Sydney, was sentenced to 12 years' jail in 2019 on terrorism charges.

He is a member of human rights organisation Viet Tan, considered a terrorist group by the Vietnamese government.

Mr Hayes pleaded with Prime Minister Scott Morrison to "take an active interest" in the matter and use his good relationship with the Vietnamese government to secure Mr Chau's release.

The chief opposition whip entered parliament following a by-election forWerriwa in 2005, succeeding former party leader Mark Latham.

In 2010 he moved to the western Sydney seat of Fowler and has comfortably maintained it ever since.

He served as party whip since 2007, a role essential to the day-to-day running of parliament.

But it is his work behind the scenes in his multicultural community for which he is best known.

He told parliament building community resilience was always more important to him than a photo opportunity.

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese told parliament Mr Hayes was a man of "great honour" and would be missed.

Australian Associated Press