Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) | Hansard source

There have been some amazing contributions today, and I'd like to associate myself with all of those comments. 'Intelligent', 'reformer', 'decent', 'hopeful', 'professional', 'caring', 'generous' and 'humble'—these are the words that every single person, not only in this chamber but those who met and worked with Simon Crean, knew he lived by, and he will be remembered for all of those qualities. He was everything to everyone, a bigger-than-life character that will live on in the history books. But, most importantly, Simon was an incredibly kind and very supportive person to those that he was close to and those that he cared about. It was these qualities that drove him to serve others across Australia in countless forms and duties.

I first met Simon when I was a staffer, and he left a lasting impression on me for how kind and respectful he was to me as a staffer. And then later, when I joined this place and became a colleague, nothing changed. That was indicative of the sort of man that Simon Crean was. I wish to pay my respects to the life and the work of Simon Crean, and I offer my sincerest condolences to his wife, Carole, his daughters, Sarah and Emma, and, particularly, David, his brother, who I worked along with when he was a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly. I also want to extend my condolences to the entire Crean family.

To navigate life without Simon Crean will be difficult in the coming days, weeks and years ahead. But his legacy will live on. The Crean family's ability to speak and to be great orators was certainly passed on to his daughters. I know he was very much a family man. He was a trade unionist. He was a committed lawmaker, an advocate for regions, a friend of industry. He was a compassionate advocate for education and for the arts and, most importantly, a leader in every walk of life he trod. But, very importantly, he was a great friend to Tasmania. Unlike some ministers in former Labor governments, he didn't close his door and try and keep the Tasmanian caucus out of his office—because we're well known for hunting in a pack!