Former Labor Leader Simon Crean (1949-2023) has died aged 74 while hiking in Germany. It has been reported that the Melbourne-born Crean passed away from a heart attack on Sunday. His Australian political career lasted 23 years, serving under the Hawke, Keating, Rudd, and Gillard leaderships. He is survived by his wife and two children.

His family released a statement following his death saying:

‘Simon was a fierce advocate for working Australians and dedicated his life to making a difference. Though his greatest achievements were as father to Sarah and Emma and loving husband to Carole. They were married for over 50 years.

‘Son of former Deputy Prime Minister the Hon. Frank Crean and Mary Crean, and much loved brother of the Hon. Dr David Crean and the late Stephen Crean.

‘Simon died suddenly after his morning exercise. He was in Berlin as part of an industry delegation.’

He took the leadership off the hands of a sinking Kim Beazley and, as the son of the former Labor Treasurer and Deputy Prime Minister Frank Crean (in the ill-fated Whitlam government), spent the highs of his political life facing off against Prime Minister John Howard. The popularity of the Howard government proved impossible to overcome, meaning that Crean never made it to the office of Prime Minister which many thought he was destined to hold. Instead, he was succeeded by the then-Labor Shadow Treasurer Mark Latham.

‘Vale Simon Crean – a great servant of the labour movement and a wonderful human being. Our condolences to Carole and all his family,’ wrote Labor Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton added, ‘Simon was a gentleman to deal with and a giant of the Labor movement. I always admired Simon for his intellect and decency and only saw him recently in Melbourne.’

Crean is remembered for his opposition to the Iraq War which took place in 2003, speaking out against John Howard and demanding that Australian troops be brought home. Prior to his formal political career, he served as General Secretary of the SPU before becoming the Australian Council of Trade Unions vice-president and later president. He also sat on the board of Qantas.

Unable to shift the opinion polls, Crean handed the leadership over in 2003 without contesting an election against Howard. After a fashion, Crean found himself under Kevin Rudd where he served within the trade portfolio until he was moved by the Gillard government into Education, Employment, and Workplace Relations. He was moved again, accepting an appointment as Minister of the Arts and Minister for Regional Development and Local Government until Crean raced to the top of the headlines when he sparked the second round of Labor Party backstabbing by calling a spill. Crean advocated for Rudd when he had previously been a loyal Gillard supporter. It was a tactical mistake. Gillard sacked Crean and Rudd went off to sulk. For a while.

The Prime Minister’s statement in full:

I am deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden death of Simon Crean during a work visit to Europe. Simon Crean gave a lifetime of service to his nation, and in particular to the labour movement.

Simon rose from leadership in the Storemen and Packers Union to ACTU president, and then to a distinguished parliamentary career as the member for Hotham, Cabinet Minister in the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments, and leader of the federal parliamentary Labor Party.

Simon’s many achievements in portfolios that ranged from trade to employment, from primary industries and energy to the arts, were characterised by a focus on the national interest, engagement with stakeholders, and always acting with principle and determination.

The common threads running through his long career were his courage and his principled action, qualities that came so powerfully to the fore when he opposed the Iraq War. Yet his opposition to the war was backed by his unwavering respect for the members of the Australian Defence Force, a respect he showed when he went to address the troops ahead of their deployment.

History has vindicated Simon’s judgment, but at the time his stance was deeply counter to the prevailing political and media climate.

Simon retained his abiding sense of humanity, and he was respected by all who had the privilege of working or interacting with him.

After parliament, Simon continued to work for Australia’s interests, most notably as chairman of the European Australian Business Council.

Simon was a great servant of the Labor Party and of the broader labour movement. Above all he was a thoroughly decent human being who was kind, generous and always of good humour. This brought him respect across the political spectrum.

As Labor leader, I benefited from Simon Crean’s advice and wisdom. I will greatly miss engaging with him.

The hearts of all of us in the Labor family go out to Simon’s beloved wife Carole and to all of his family and thousands of friends.

May Simon rest in peace.