Former Queensland politician Vaughan Johnson dies at age 75

Vaughan Johnson is being remembered as a hardworking politician and great man after he died aged 75.

Vaughan Johnson died at the weekend aged 75.

Former Queensland politician and Order of Australia recipient Vaughan Johnson is being remembered as a hardworking politician and great man.

Mr Johnson who passed away over the weekend at 75 was born in Bourke in 1947, and worked as a grazier and contractor before trying his hand at politics as a councillor in the western Queensland town of Quilpie.

He spent over 25 years in state parliament as the member for Gregory from 1989, before retiring in 2015.

He held several shadow cabinet positions during his time in politics, as well as transport minister from 1996-98 and chief whip in the Newman government.

Vaughan Johnson has been remembered as a “great politician and even better bloke”. Picture: Liam Kidston.

Mr Johnson received an Order of Australia medal in 2020 for his work in regional and remote communities and as drought commissioner. Both sides of politics were quick to offer condolences and offer tributes for a man who has been described as “a fierce advocate for primary producers, rural communities and transport infrastructure”, current leader of the LNP David Crisafulli said.

“More importantly, he was a man of true character with a handshake as strong as oak,” he said.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey also offered his condolences.

“Very sad news to hear of the passing of former transport minister & long time MP Vaughan Johnson overnight,” he said.

“I met Vaughan many times and he was always positive, gregarious and a continuing advocate for Western Queensland.”

State Member for Chatsworth Steve Minnikin said Mr Johnson would be sorely missed.

“(He) had a heart of gold and a handshake that stayed with you for days after,” he said.

“One of the last of the ‘old school’ politicians with conviction. Could walk into any bar and know everybody by close of business.

“Great politician and even better bloke. Vale old mate.”

Former Labor politician Robert Schwarten said he was “shocked and saddened” by the news, and remembered his longtime friend as a “decent, hard working” man.

“He was the last of the true old Country Party people – he was as comfortable sitting around a campfire with a mob of growers, or driving a truck all bloody night moving cattle, as he was in any boardroom in Queensland.”

Mr Schwarten and Johnson entered politics at the same time in 1989, and despite sitting on opposite sides of the bench bonded over shared humour, footy, “plenty of grog, and a lot of fun”.

“He never forgot the basis of humanity and that was the worker. I always told him he was in the wrong party, and occasionally he’d agree.”

Mr Schwarten remembered Johnson as a fearless man, with one big exception.

“He was terrified of flying. But he spent maybe 40 hours on a plane with me going around his electorate, doing what needed to be done. I was amazed.”