Larissa Waters (Queensland, Australian Greens) | Hansard source

I rise on behalf of the Australian Greens to give our condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the honourable Simon Findlay Crean. It's always difficult to lose a loved one, and even more so when it happens unexpectedly and away from home. It is clear that Mr Crean had many people who loved him.

Senator Wong has given an account of his numerous roles and achievements, which I won't seek to repeat. But one thing to note are the—at the time—bold commitments Mr Crean made to invest in the long-term protection of the Murray River in the lead up to the 2003 election. That work gave the environment a prominence in an opposition campaign that it had not had for some time.

He was a dedicated union leader and an advocate for workers' rights. He was committed to the arts and to regional communities. He was part of a political family but was a politician who saw getting outcomes as more important than people recognising his role in getting there.

A lot has been said already about Mr Crean's courage in speaking against Australia entering the Iraq War. He called for a decision to be deferred until the UN inspectors assessed the weapons of mass destruction claims that were used to justify the war, saying that denying the UN extra time to inspect undermined any legitimacy for the war. He took that stand while President Bush was in the chamber. Senators Bob Brown and Kerry Nettle made their own statement on that day, and the collective power of that opposition strengthened the resolve of the anti-war movement. Mr Crean said that the media at that time had joined 'a stampede urging Australia to war, but had failed to question the evidence presented'—evidence which, history has shown, simply did not support the claims being made. Thousands and thousands of people took to the streets, but the Howard government was belligerent, and we went to war without a vote in parliament and without proper consideration. We went to war on a lie.

Mr Crean also called out Mr John Howard's disgraceful attempts to use the grief of Australian families affected by the Bali bombings to justify his war. It should not be so notable to stand against powerful allies and demand transparency, accountability and honesty. It should not be so rare to stare down a voracious media and do the right thing. It shouldn't be, but it is. History has supported Mr Crean, Senator Brown, Mr Wilkie and all those who stood against that illegal war. At a time in history when the drums of war are beating again, I hope that Mr Crean's legacy gives everyone in this place pause for thought about the mistakes that drove us to war in Iraq and how to make sure we don't repeat them. I hope his legacy is a government committed to transparency and rigorous decision-making.

I want to note the personal tragedy that Mr Crean experienced when his brother died bushwalking in a remote area and was not found for some time. It is hard to imagine the trauma of that long period of waiting, of not knowing, of losing hope. I would not wish that on any family. From that experience, Mr Crean maintained an empathy for communities experiencing tragedy. The sensitivity with which he addressed families and friends of the Bali bombing victims in the days and months following that tragedy was a testament to that empathy.

As I said at the outset, despite his sometimes stern demeanour Mr Crean was clearly loved and was loved by many. His sudden and unexpected death should be a reminder to us all to nurture our relationships outside of this place and to make sure that we let people that we care about know as often as we can. Our deepest condolences and best wishes to Mr Crean's family, his friends and colleagues.