Former Victorian premier John Cain dead at 88
Former premier Jeff Kennett has paid tribute to “generous and honourable” John Cain, after his political rival died at the age of 88. This is how the state Labor MP, who led Victoria from 1982 to 1990, changed Victoria.
VIC News
Don't miss out on the headlines from VIC News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former Victorian premier John Cain has died at the age of 88.
Mr Cain was a state Labor MP for 16 years and served as premier of Victoria from 1982 until 1990.
He suffered a stroke on December 10 and had been in hospital since.
His wife Nancye Cain announced Mr Cain’s death in a statement on Monday morning.
“We are grateful John enjoyed good health and remained very active prior to his stroke,” she said.
“He is much loved and admired by his family and will be greatly missed.”
The couple has three children — daughter Joanne Crothers and sons John and James.
TRIBUTES FLOW FOR CAIN
John Cain ended a 27-year run of Liberal governments in Victoria, becoming the first Labor premier since his father John (Jack) Cain.
Jeff Kennett, former premier and Opposition leader during Mr Cain’s tenure, said he was an earnest, generous and honourable leader.
“His personal values were well founded, and he defended them strongly, at times to the point of stubbornness,’’ Mr Kennett said.
“While I did not agree with many of his Labor policies, I note his extraordinary contribution to public purpose.
“John Cain’s was a long life, lived well. Before, during and after his political career.’’
Other state and federal Labor MPs have also paid tribute to Mr Cain.
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten remembered Mr Cain as a kind man and a great leader.
“Rest in peace John Cain, a kind man who helped modernise Victorian Labor and led it to victory in 1982 after 27 years in the wilderness,” Mr Shorten posted on Twitter.
“Thoughts are with his wife Nancye, his children including son John.”
Premier Daniel Andrews has paid tribute to Mr Cain, saying a party thrown earlier this year to mark his 70 years in the Labor Party was just like him.
“The event was typically John: modest and intimate. No ceremony, and zero pomp,” Mr Andrews said.
“After all, having achieved real reform – John needed no fanfare.
“Perhaps one of his greatest achievements was leading the Victorian Labor Party into the modern era.
“Achieving victory after 27 years in the wilderness.”
Mr Andrews said “no list can properly convey his immense contribution to our state”.
“John’s love for the Labor Party was only bettered by his love for his family,” Mr Andrews said.
“On behalf of the Victorian Government and the Victorian Labor Party, I offer my deepest condolences to his wife, Nancye, and their children, Joanne, John and James.
“John’s legacy will continue to live on in the modern Victoria he so proudly helped to build.
In honour of that legacy, and following a private service, a State Memorial Service will be held in the new year, with further details to be confirmed in the coming weeks.”
Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said Mr Cain was a “formidable campaigner” who led Labor to three election victories and headed “significant reforms in Victoria, which endure to this day”.
He listed the Southbank precinct, the liberalisation of shop trading hours, the Transport Accident Commission, VicHealth and moving the Australian Open from Kooyong to Melbourne Park among the former premier’s legacy.
“Mr Cain played an important role in modernising the Victorian Labor Party and maintained a statesmanlike dignity in his nearly 30 years of political retirement,” Mr O’Brien said.
“At a personal level, I always found John to be unfailingly courteous, polite and with a keenly inquiring mind.”
Victorian federal MP Andrew Giles described Mr Cain as “the most decent politician imaginable”.
“It was my great privilege to know him and to enjoy his friendship, encouragement and advice,” Mr Giles said.
“John Cain was utterly devoted to Labor and public life, and the most decent politician imaginable.”
State Labor minister Martin Foley described him as a thoroughly decent man.
“Three times election winner, he reframed Labor’s mission as the reformist party for a modern Victoria,” he wrote.
HOW CAIN CHANGED VICTORIA
John Cain famously moved the Australian Open from Kooyong to Melbourne Park, opening the National Tennis Centre in 1988.
The Melbourne & Olympic Parks trust said the centre was “the foundation stone for what became the Melbourne & Olympic Parks precinct”.
“The creation of the precinct was just one of John Cain’s many achievements during a political career that helped shape the future of Victoria,” the trust said.
“While he will be sorely missed by everyone involved at the Trust, his enduring legacy means that he will never be forgotten.”
Earlier this month, Mr Cain was at the County Court for the formal welcome of his son, John Cain, as a judge and State Coroner.
It was noted the new State Coroner was greatly influenced to pursue law from a young age by constantly watching his father “weaving his magic” for clients at the Preston Magistrates Court.
Mr Cain served as president of the Law Institute in 1972 before becoming Premier and Attorney-General of the state of Victoria in the 1980s.
MORE NEWS
MUM COLLAPSED UPON HEARING OF SON’S BRAWL DEATH