Parly pays tribute to former minister

Throughout his long political career there was much confusion that Liberal MP Michael MacKellar was the member for Warringah while the next door electorate of Mackellar was held by someone else.

House of Representatives speaker Bronwyn Bishop, now the member for Mackellar, acknowledged that these the two name crossovers used to cause endless confusion for many people.

Mr MacKellar, member for Warringah for a quarter century from 1964-94, died of cancer earlier this month aged 76.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott, now the member for Warringah, paid tribute to his energy and drive as immigration minister in the Fraser government. He also served as health minister and environment minister.

"His philosophy was straightforward. In his own words you bring people with you and you govern from the centre," he told parliament.

Mr Abbott said his greatest legacy was his part in settling of thousands of Vietnamese refugees after the fall of Saigon.

"This was in fact one of the finest achievements of the Fraser Government," he said.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the first Vietnamese refugees found a home in Australia under Mr MacKellar's stewardship.

"Their place in our nation's story, their part in our thriving, modern multicultural Australia will stand forever as a contribution to Michael MacKellar's moderation, compassion and decency," he said.

Mr MacKellar's great contribution to Australian political culture is perhaps the 1982 "colour television scandal" where he inadvertently imported a TV without paying the proper duty, leading to his resignation as a minister.