Jenny McAllister (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy) | Hansard source

I rise to speak briefly about the Hon. Simon Findlay Crean. Like Senator Watt, the last time that I saw Simon was on budget night at a function hosted by the European Australian Business Council, and, in his characteristic way, he was warm and friendly and encouraging. I had recently come back from Berlin, where I'd had the opportunity to meet with a range of Australian and European businesses interested in the hydrogen industry. He was incredibly interested to hear all about this and encouraged me to share these observations with the very large group that had assembled, which I duly did. It was characteristic of the enthusiasm that he had for economic and cultural exchanges, which are at the heart of the council's mission, but also the values and objectives that he sought to advance through his parliamentary and public life, serving in portfolios across employment, training, regional development, trade, agriculture and the arts.

Simon was quite literally a son of the labour movement, which not many of us can say, but he contributed much more broadly, as a unionist, a parliamentarian, a minister and as Labor leader. Leading the federal parliamentary Labor Party is an enormous honour. It reflects the confidence of your peers and the eternal hopes of the labour movement for a better, fairer and more prosperous Australia. Simon was called to lead at a time of great change in Australia and in the world. He was not a radical, but he was called to make a difficult decision, much criticised at the time and since vindicated. I was active in the vast community movement at that time, which included faith groups, unionists, veterans and thousands of citizens who were opposed to the war in Iraq. Our movement insisted that there should be and could be another way. I well recall the significance of federal Labor's decision at that time to oppose the commitment of our troops, and I remember the firm courage with which Simon sought to explain that decision and our thinking patiently and honestly to the Australian people. Reading back over Simon's contributions from that time, I am struck by the care that he took to articulate the elements of Labor's position: admiration and care for our serving personnel, respect for the alliance between Australia and the United States, and a resolute commitment to identifying and serving our national interest.

This will be a time of great sadness for Simon's family and friends. I do hope that you find some peace in the admiration and affection in which he is so widely held. Vale, Simon, and thank you.