Longtime Labor Minister Simon Crean has been farewelled by one of Australia’s political elite at his state funeral in Melbourne.
The former Labor leader died aged 74 while on a trip to Europe for business and trade meetings. He was hiking in Germany and is believed to have suffered a heart attack.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who turned to Mr Crean for advice early in his career, arrived at Melbourne’s St Paul’s Cathedral with his partner Jodie Haydon at 11am for the start of the service.
Mr Albanese paid a moving tribute to Mr Crean at the start of the service, describing him as ‘a beloved son of the Labor Party whose personal qualities earned him respect that knew no political boundaries’.
‘He was a great Australian who served his country and his community with humility and compassion, integrity and intelligence,’ he said.
‘Simon embodies what really matters at the heart of the Labor Party – above all a sense of fairness. It was his guiding star.’
Mr Albanese said Mr Crean ‘greeted the world with a squinty-eyed benevolence, a man of boundless generosity … fierce and bright as lightning.’
One of Australia’s political elite bid farewell to longtime Labor Minister Simon Crean at his state funeral in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who turned to Mr Crean for advice early in his career, arrived at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne with his partner Jodie Haydon at 11am for the start of the service.
Mr Albanese paid a moving tribute to Mr Crean at the start of the service, describing him as a ‘favourite son of the Labor Party’.
One of Australia’s political elite has arrived in Melbourne for Simon Crean’s state funeral
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Mr Crean, writing: ‘Vale Simon Crean. A great servant of the labor movement and a wonderful man.
Mr Crean is fondly remembered by politicians across the aisle for his policy stance against the US invasion of Iraq in 2003.
During Mr Crean’s distinguished political career, he held the Victorian federal seat of Hotham from 1990 to 2013.
He was Leader of the Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003 when John Howard was Prime Minister.
He held a number of cabinet roles under the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments and was president of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
His father, Frank Gough, served as Deputy Prime Minister under Whitlam.
Mr Crean’s brother paid a tearful tribute at the Prime Minister’s funeral, recalling a visit to Parliament when they were just children and he ‘bit two-year-old Kim Beazley on the toe’.
‘It’s going to be tough for me mentally,’ he said. ‘With all our precious memories… Simon was a bit of a rebel as a teenager. Not much… but a bit rebellious.’
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who is Australia’s ambassador to the United States, has returned to Australia to join public service.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews and Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Lew were also in attendance.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (right) greets Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews arrived with his partner Catherine
The casket is seen ahead of Simon Crean’s state funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne
The casket is seen ahead of Simon Crean’s state funeral at St Paul’s Cathedral in Melbourne
Politicians and media figures paid tribute to the Labor Party heavyweight (pictured, Mr Crean with his wife, Carol, in 2009).
Peter Dutton was unable to attend, but said earlier: ‘I have always admired Simon for his intelligence and decency and recently saw him in Melbourne.
‘Simon was a gentleman to deal with and a monster of the labor movement.’
A spokesman for Mr Crean’s family said in a statement after his death: ‘The Crean family are devastated to announce the death of the Hon. Simon Crean in Berlin, Germany this morning.’
‘Simon was a fierce advocate for working Australians and dedicated his life to making a difference.’
‘However his greatest achievement was being a father to Sarah and Emma and a loving husband to Carol. They were married for over 50 years.’
The son of the former Deputy Prime Minister 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 industrial delegation.’
Mr Crean was Leader of the Labor Party and Leader of the Opposition from 2001 to 2003 when John Howard was Prime Minister.
Former Labor leader Simon Crean (pictured) dies aged 74 while traveling to Europe for business and trade meetings
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