Family of Labor ‘icon’ Simon Crean speaks after his death 74

The family of former federal Labor leader Simon Crean has described him as “humble, charismatic and loved by so many”, after his sudden death in Germany at the age of 74.

Simon Crean has been remembered as ‘a giant of the Labor movement’.

Former Labor leader Simon Crean has died aged 74.

Mr Crean’s family on Monday put out a statement honouring the Labor figure.

“Simon was the most important person in our lives — the one we looked up to more than anyone,” they said.

“His unexpected passing has devastated our entire family. The most loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather, he extended that same love and devotion to his many friends, community and to our nation.

Simon — Dad — saw life through empathy. Personal or political, if anyone came to him with a problem, he would stop at nothing to solve it.

“He never needed acknowledgment for the things he achieved; the change he created was recognition enough.

“He was humble, charismatic and loved by so many.”

The family said the number of people who had reached out with condolences reiterated “how many people he touched during his life”.

“As you can understand, this is an extremely challenging time for us and we will need some time to adjust,” they said.

“We ask that you please allow this time to pass in peace.

“Not having him with us will never feel right, but the time we had together will be with us forever.

“Carole, Emma, Sarah, Klaus and Cosmo.”

Simon Crean with his wife, Carole.

On Sunday, a spokesman for Mr Crean’s family said in a statement: “The Crean family are devastated to announce the passing of the Hon. Simon Crean this morning in Berlin, Germany.

“Simon was a fierce advocate for working Australians and dedicated his life to making a difference. He was a former ACTU President, federal minister under the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments and Federal Labor leader from 2001 to 2003.

“Though his greatest achievements were as father to Sarah and Emma and loving husband to Carole. They were married for more than 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.”

It’s understood Mr Crean died of a heart attack.

Mr Crean died suddenly in Berlin.

On Monday, Victorian minister Steve Dimopoulos choked back tears as he remembered his former boss and mentor.

When he was 19, Mr Dimopoulos did work experience in the former Labor leader’s electorate office.

He then worked for Mr Crean for eight years.

“It was eight years of my life but the lessons you learn from him stay with you,” Mr Dimopoulos said.

“His integrity and his leadership was never fully recognised and understood.

“He really cares about people and he was impactful in that way.

“He was an extraordinary human being.”

Mr Dimopoulos fondly remembered that Mr Crean, while serving as opposition leader, accepted his request to open his cafe in Oakleigh.

“He sat there and cut a ribbon. He continued to invest in his people,” he said.

“He always had time for the shopkeeper on Clayton Rd, the fruit shopkeeper, the Chinese or Maltese migrant.

“He would always stop and give them a hug.

“He was a very special human being. I could go on about him.”

Mr Dimopoulos said he had only caught up with Mr Crean just three weeks ago at parliament where they discussed the arts sector.

Mr Crean was admired for his ‘courage and his principled action’.

Mr Crean held the Victorian federal seat of Hotham between 1990 and 2013.

He held several cabinet roles across the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments.

The former trade unionist also sat on the board of Linfox as a non-executive director.

Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Mr Crean’s service to the nation and the labour movement.

The Prime Minister said history had vindicated Mr Crean’s judgment on the Iraq war, but at the time his stance was deeply counter to the prevailing political and media climate.

“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,” Mr Albanese said.

“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.”

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

During Mr Crean’s time in cabinet, Mr Albanese said how many achievements were characterised by a focus on the national interest, engagement with stakeholders, and always acting with principle and determination.

After retiring from the parliament in 2013, Mr Crean continued to further Australia’s interests as chairman of the European Australian Business Council.

Mr Albanese said Mr Crean was a “thoroughly decent human being who was kind, generous and always of good humour”.

“This brought him respect across the political spectrum,” he said.

Mr Crean was described as a ‘thoroughly decent human being who was kind, generous and always of good humour’.

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

Mr Albanese said the hearts of everyone in the Labor family went out to Simon’s beloved wife Carole and to all of his family and thousands of friends.

Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said Mr Crean’s death was “sad and sudden”.

Mr Chalmers described Mr Crean as a “decent, generous” man who was wonderful company.

“A lifetime of dedication to our country and its working people won’t be forgotten,” he wrote.

Mr Crean at a press conference, sitting next to his father Frank Crean.

“Thinking of Carole, the Creans, and the many who loved, respected and admired Simon.”

Chisholm MP Carina Garland also paid tribute to Mr Crean, who was her first boss in politics.

“I am devastated to hear of the passing of Simon Crean … I learned so much from him,” she wrote.

“Vale Simon, and thank you for everything.”

Mr Crean after stepping aside as federal Labor leader in 2003. Picture: Kym Smith

Hotham MP Clare O’Neil, who succeeded Mr Crean, has made a touching tribute to her friend and mentor.

“Simon was a giant of the Labor Party and the labour movement,” Ms O’Neil said.

“He was a Labor icon; integral to Australian politics and industrial relations for more than forty years. And he was my mentor, and friend.”

The Home Affairs Minister said his length of service to the nation was “extraordinary”, adding he made Australia a “better and fairer country”.

“He was a reformer, a thinker, a doer, a negotiator; a politician who bought a good mind and a good heart to every task,” Ms O’Neil said.

“He was egalitarian to his core – equally at home in the suburbs or a country, on the factory floor or the boardroom, at the footy or at the opera.

“And his service to my community, in South East Melbourne, is the stuff of legend.”

Mr Crean has been remembered for his ‘extraordinary’ service to the nation.

She said Mr Crean supported Labor women, and he backed her “every moment” of her life in the Labor Party.

“I will miss him terribly,” she said.

“He was a devoted father, grandfather and husband.

“This is an incredibly sad day for Simon’s family and my thoughts are with them tonight.”

Victorian Trades Hall Council secretary Luke Hilakari offered solidarity to Mr Crean’s family and friends.

“A unionist, a Labor titan and a friend to working people,” Mr Hilakari wrote.

“Post parliament whenever I needed a hand from Simon he always answered the call and pitched in.”

Mr Crean was described as equally at home on the factory floor or the boardroom, at the footy or at the opera. Picture: AAP

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten said Mr Crean’s passing was a “tremendously sad and significant moment” in Australia’s history.

Mr Shorten said Mr Crean was a “great” in the generation of Bob Hawke, Paul Keating and Bill Kelty.

He said as opposition leader, Mr Crean showed incredible courage in opposing the second Gulf War in Iraq.

“It takes an equal Amount of integrity to farewell the troops going to war — as well as giving absolute support to the troops and their families,” Mr Shorten said

“In the words of US poet Robert Frost, Simon took the road less travelled and it made all the difference.

“On a personal note, Simon was a strong supporter and a good friend.”

Mr Crean opposed the second Gulf War in Iraq.

Federal Labor MP Tanya Plibersek described Mr Crean as “smart, principled, creative and kind”.

“He was never afraid of fighting for what was right, like when he bravely opposed the involvement in the Iraq war.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr Crean became a giant because he lived his values.

Mr Andrews said opposing the Iraq war was “leadership”, adding Mr Crean stood up for peace and Australia’s national interest.

“Simon served our state in the Federal Parliament for more than two decades, and served our movement for a lifetime,” Mr Andrews wrote.

“He lived his values, and in doing so became a giant.

“As a union leader he broke new ground, and at the ACTU he was integral to the Accord.

“To Carole, and his family, and all those who loved him, I send my deepest condolences. Vale Simon.”

Former South Australian premier Mike Rann said Mr Crean made a huge commitment to the Labor movement, Labor governments and to Australia.

Mr Rann, a former ambassador UK high commissioner and ambassador to Italy, said he was also a very good person.

“Simon continued to make a big contribution to Australian public life through his leadership of the European Australian Business Council and as Deputy Chancellor of Monash University,” he wrote.

Mr Crean held the Victorian federal seat of Hotham.

“He was tireless in promoting an Australia/EU FTA.”

Opposition leader Peter Dutton paid tribute to Mr Crean, a “giant of the Labor movement”.

“Shocked and saddened to hear of Simon Crean’s passing,” Mr Dutton wrote.

“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. Condolences and best wishes to his wife Carole and his family and friends. A very sad day.”

Former Treasurer Josh Frydenberg paid tribute to Mr Crean, saying he was a “thoroughly decent and good man”.

“He effectively and powerfully fought for Labor values & at the same time won respect & built friendships across the political aisle,” Mr Frydenberg wrote.

“My thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”

Nationals MP Michael McCormack said he was saddened to learn of Mr Crean’s sudden death.

“As a first-term Opposition backbencher in 2010, the advice & assistance this Labor luminary gave me was quite extraordinary,” McCormack wrote.

“He offered help when our daughter moved to Melbourne. A wonderful human being, he was an MP who genuinely cared.”