Mark Speakman
NSW Leader of the Opposition
STATEMENT
Today, New South Wales has lost a quiet giant. Father Chris Riley AM didn’t just serve the young and vulnerable, he gave them back their future. Where others saw brokenness, he saw potential. Where others walked away, he leaned in.
Through Youth Off The Streets, he lit a path for tens of thousands of young people, kids who were cold, hungry, and written off, showing them that they were not alone, not forgotten, and never beyond hope. One food van in Kings Cross became a movement. A sanctuary. A second chance.
Father Riley’s legacy will not be measured in awards or headlines, but in the eyes of every young person who found shelter, support, and strength because of him.
To his family, his community, and the countless lives he touched, on behalf of the NSW Opposition we grieve with you. And to every young person still finding their way, you mattered to Father Chris. And you matter to all of us.
May he rest peacefully, knowing the light he gave this world will never dim.