Carol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport) | Hansard source

First, I would like to acknowledge that Carole Crean is in the chamber today, with Simon's family. I express our condolences to you on behalf of the Tasmanian federal Senate team, including Senator Urquhart, Senator Catryna Bilyk and Senator Polley. I know Senator Polley will be speaking as well.

Labor has lost a leader who stood among the greatest. Simon Crean will be remembered as someone who made you feel at ease in his presence with his patience, his interest and his calm temperament. Simon showed absolute dedication to serving people, covering 50 years of public service, first in his time in the trade union movement and then as member for Hotham for 23 years. All of us in this place know that his legacy will endure for decades to come.

Simon served as a cabinet minister under four Labor governments—Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard. He covered a broad range of ministerial portfolios, covering trade, agriculture, resources and energy, training and industry. In each of these areas he spent time representing, he was always guided by a deep understanding of people.

Many reflect on Simon's powerful and principled speech against Australia's involvement in the Iraq War. This speech was just one example of his tireless and devoted efforts in all areas of politics. To many, these attributes will be his most significant legacy.

In 2013 Simon introduced the National Cultural Policy, Creative Australia, which invigorated creativity, laying the foundations to celebrate Australia's diverse and inclusive culture. Through Creative Australia, Simon ensured we recognised, respected and celebrated our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, essential to Australia's unique identity. The legacy of Creative Australia lives on today under the leadership of Minister Tony Burke. I know Simon would have been proud to see Creative Australia back in its rightful place, at the forefront of Australian cultural policy.

Despite his career stretching half a century, with many ministerial portfolios, as deputy leader and then leader of the federal parliamentary Labor Party, Simon will always be remembered for what he did while he was in these positions—the tangible changes that are unforgettable marks on modern Australia.

Simon never lost touch with the people, maintaining integrity and fairness throughout his parliamentary career. He truly was a visionary whose perspective and outlook were anchored in values of humility and compassion. Simon's family has a deep history with the Labor Party, exemplified by his father, Frank Crean, who served as Deputy Prime Minister in the Whitlam government. His brother David Crean served as Treasurer of my home state of Tasmania, under the Jim Bacon government. Despite embodying true Labor values, the Crean family maintains respect, as we've heard in the contributions here today, from across the whole political spectrum, speaking to their qualities, and we have just seen that today.

To Simon we owe a lot. We owe thanks that cannot be quantified, and my thoughts are with his family. When I first heard that Simon had passed away, I was so sad. I'd met Simon on a number of occasions, and of course I've met his brother David. It was a loss—to the Labor Party and the labour movement—that is very hard to put into words. He was a man of passion and a man of integrity. I hope you take comfort in knowing that sharing Simon with the labour movement and the country will have an enduring influence. You have our gratitude. Vale, Simon Crean.