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

I'll take that interjection. We will never give up, and you won't keep us out, Senator Wong!

But Simon Crean had the most impressive career, and he never, ever let go of his moral compass to challenge his many positions to stand up for Australians, regardless of what shoes they were walking in. He did this all with the highest level of honour and respect for those he worked with and those he worked for.

One of my staff members heard Simon Crean speak at his high school. I think I was there in another capacity, working for a state leader. It was in his high school days. He recounted to me that the impression that Simon left on him was from the way that he spoke with such passion about what Labor governments can achieve and have achieved. On that day—and as was always the case—he was unashamedly a Labor man and a politician, asking the students gathered in the assembly area to, 'Go home and tell your parents to vote Labor.' I don't think any of us could imagine that happening today—that any school would let a politician come in and speak so candidly about an upcoming election and actually give students and staff a voting directive.

Simon Crean was remarkably gifted and confident in his own right. His resume was without flaw. A graduate of economics and law at the Monash University, Simon chose to pursue a career committed to standing up for the powerless. Simon transformed the lives of Australian workers as a union leader and later president of the ACTU and through his engagement with the landmark prices and incomes report. From the contribution that Bill Kelty gave at the state funeral, I don't think there's any doubt that that duo were unbeatable in their commitment. As my colleague Senator Ayres said, one thing about Bill Kelty is he is a fantastic orator. He never gives a short speech, but everything that he said on that day just resonated with everyone there. Today, I just want to thank Bill Kelty for his contribution in making sure that no-one forgot or will forget the contribution that Simon made during his time with the ACTU and with the storemen and packers.

We have all heard about the contribution that he made when he came to this place. He always was an advocate for working people and their rights and their interests. There was no greater advocate for superannuation or Medicare than Simon Crean. His talent came to fruition when Simon won preselection to the seat of Hotham in 1990, immediately becoming a frontbencher upon his election, and the rest is history. He covered science and technology, primary industry and energy, employment, education and training, trade, social inclusion, arts, regional development and local government. This was a man who was the Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003. He represented the seat of Hotham in the House of Representatives from 1990. As I said, he was elected until 2013. He was a cabinet minister in the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments. Not many can claim such an incredible parliamentary record.

Simon Crean will rightly be remembered as a servant of the Labor movement, a champion of the Australian spirit and someone who through all of his years never lost sight of his belief in true fairness. I will personally remember Simon as a former secretary of the Storemen and Packers Union, as president of the ACTU and, most importantly as a gentleman. I attended Simon Crean's funeral in Melbourne two weeks ago and, from that, I reflected on him and the politics of the time. This was a man without malice in his heart. At his political peak, he would have the political fight but it would never turn nasty against his opponents. He was there to do a job, and it wasn't personal. It was professional. He was always a politician. He could even maintain a friendship with people of the opposite political leanings, as we have heard from those that have made contributions and the conversations we have had in this place in the corridors and outside. He was highly respected. His life has been celebrated. On behalf of myself and particularly my state—and we've had some rough times, with forestry and other issues challenging the Hawke government—I just want to acknowledge his great contribution. He always had a genuine interest in what was happening in Tasmania. He was always guided by principle and kindness, and he didn't let the harshness of politics sour his nature. Generosity was his best friend.

As mentioned today and at his funeral, when he voiced his opposition to sending Australian troops to the Iraq War he made it clear that his argument was not with the ADF and those who served our country but rather with the Howard government who made the decision. I agree that Simon Crean's position has been vindicated by history.

Simon Crean was a statesman. He was, in so many ways, before his time. He was always in front of prevailing views of the time, and I increasingly believe that he really did define what a leader should be. Simon, in my view, would have been an excellent Labor prime minister, but unfortunately Labor lost that opportunity.

I think it is fair to say that we're all mourning a great Australian who served his country and his community above all else; but we should also celebrate his life and learn from his teachings, his commitment and his achievements as a leader of people. Simon Crean believed in our country above all else. He believed in the greatness of our country, but he also believed that as a country we can always be better—which is, after all, the essence of the mission of our Labor movement.

Simon, as I said, was a family man. I want to say thank you to Carole, Sarah, Emma, David and the rest of the Crean family for sharing this man with us not only as Labor politicians but as members of the great Australian community. You know only too well how much a family sacrifices to have their partner represent them either in the House of Representatives or here in the Senate, so thank you. My heart goes out to you and the rest of his family. But thank you again for sharing Simon's charm, intelligence and vision for the Labor movement and the Labor community. Simon will be missed. Vale, Simon Crean.

Question agreed to, honourable members joining in a moment of silence.