Former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock dies aged 82

Former Liberal MP and Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrew Peacock has died aged 82 at his home in the US.

Former Liberal leader Andrew Peacock has died aged 82 at his home in the US.

Mr Peacock was one of the most significant Australian political figures of his generation, leading the Liberal Party in both the 1984 and 1990 federal elections.

Mr Peacock’s daughter, Ann, posted a heartfelt tribute to her father on Instagram.

“To my beautiful loving most caring thoughtful generous and brilliant father, you will be so greatly missed, your guidance and deep love for us will live in my heart, we are absolutely devastated,” she wrote.

“Daddy, love you more than the world, please continue to look after us all. You will live within us forever and ever.”

She also shared a “beautiful” photo of him with wife Penne, a US diplomat he married in 2002, calling her “the love of my brilliant loving father’s life”.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison paid tribute to the former Liberal leader, labelling him a “great Australian and a treasure to the Liberal Party”.

“He was one of our greatest Liberals who helped shape Australia and the Liberal Party over three decades. Andrew Peacock served in Parliament for over 28 years and was a Minister in the Gorton, McMahon and Fraser governments; and led the Liberal Party to two elections,” Mr Morrison said in a statement.

“During his time as a minister, Andrew Peacock held the Army; External Territories; Environment; Foreign Affairs; Industrial Relations; and Industry and Commerce portfolios.

“He was Minister for the Army during part of the Vietnam War. A difficult portfolio in the most challenging of times.”

Tributes have been flowing in for former leader of the Liberal Party Andrew Peacock. Picture: Brian Birzer/The Australian

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Mr Morrison said Mr Peacock was “instrumental” in gaining Australian acceptance for Papua New Guinea Independence during his time as Minister for External Territories.

Mr Peacock quickly rose within the ranks of the Liberal Party. He was dubbed the “the colt from Kooyong” in 1966 when he was chosen at the age of 27 to replace Sir Robert Menzies in his Melbourne electorate.

Just three years later, he was appointed Minister for the Army and then at age 36 was made the Foreign Affairs Minister.

Mr Morrison said during his time as the Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr Peacock “built deep relationships”.

“He was vocal in his denunciation of the Pol Pot regime in Kampuchea, despising what he called that ‘loathsome regime’,” Mr Morrison said.

Very sad to hear of the passing of Andrew Peacock. He was a mate, mentor and iconic Liberal with sound moderate values and unwavering energy for the battle.

As Ambassador here in the US he was without peer. He was a giant in the history...

— Joe Hockey (@JoeHockey) April 16, 2021

Andrew Peacock, perhaps without realising it, taught me one of the great lessons of journalism: listen to what people AREN'T saying. I did not know him well. But he was a lifelong friend of Alan Ramsey, which reflects well on both of them

— Laura Tingle (@latingle) April 16, 2021

Vale to a Liberal hero, Australian statesman, gentleman - Andrew Peacock. He will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/80hwT5Qtt8

— Matthew Guy MP (@MatthewGuyMP) April 16, 2021

As the Colt of Kooyong he and his then wife Susan carried the aspirations of the Liberal Party.
That he did not become Prime Minister of the country was probably a reflection more of his generous character more than crass ambition.
Farewell my friend.

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) April 16, 2021

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Mr Peacock was appointed Leader of the Opposition by the time he was 44, just missing out on securing the top job of prime minister.

However, in an interview with The Australian in 2019, he revealed he never yearned for the role of leading the country.

“Unlike most of my colleagues I did not hunger for the job as prime minister,’’ he told the publication.

“I truly was more interested in what we were doing than the post itself. I wanted good posts. I wanted to be the foreign­ minister, but being prime minister was not the central orient; it wasn’t the central purpose to what I was doing.”

Mr Peacock was also known for his colourful personal life, including a highly publicised 1978 divorce from socialite and television personality Susan Rossiter (later Lady Renouf), and a headline-grabbing relationship with actress Shirley MacLaine.

Peacock led the Coalition to win 50.1% of the 2PP vote in 1990 but not a majority of seats. But he never felt “robbed” and said Bob Hawke and Labor won the election fair and square. “That’s the system,” he said. #auspol#vale@australian#AndrewPeacock

— Troy Bramston (@TroyBramston) April 16, 2021

Thank you Andrew Peacock for serving Australia with such distinction as MP for Kooyong, Foreign Minister, Liberal Leader & Opposition Leader for 28 years, then as Ambassador to the US. My condolences to your family who I’m proud to call my friends @peacockann, Andrew & Woody. pic.twitter.com/RePaEsJVMj

— Tim Smith MP (@TimSmithMP) April 16, 2021

He championed Liberal ideals & provided strong & good government. He was authentic, tough & possessed a dry sense of humour. He will be remembered fondly by those on both sides of the political aisle as he played his politics as he pursued life with vigour, dignity & decency. pic.twitter.com/qWLVmPjgi2

— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) April 16, 2021

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg also wrote a tribute to Mr Peacock, thanking him for his “friendship, advice and support”.

Mr Frydenberg, who holds Mr Peacock’s old seat of Kooyong in Victoria, said he “feels proud to be apart of his wonderful legacy”.

“My love and prayers are with Penne and his extended family at this difficult time,” he added.

Sad. He was not a bad bloke, Andrew Peacock. https://t.co/OU8ZTtdDU5

— Mike Carlton (@MikeCarlton01) April 16, 2021

Love to @peacockann whose father - a good man & former Liberal leader - Andrew Peacock, has died at his home in the US.
‘The Colt from Kooyong’ (he succeeded Menzies in the blue ribbon Victorian seat of Kooyong in 1966) was 82.
RIP. 🙏🏻😔🖤 #andrewpeacockpic.twitter.com/kDOfCrcDTj

— Melissa Hoyer (@melissahoyer) April 16, 2021

Mr Peacock retired from politics in 1994 but served as the Australian Ambassador in Washington DC between 1997-2000.

Joe Hockey, who served as Ambassador to the US from 2016-2020 said Mr Peacock was “without peer” in the role, and “a giant in the history of the relationship”.

Mr Hockey called his predecessor “a mate, mentor and iconic Liberal with sound moderate values and unwavering energy”.

Mr Morrison said Mr Peacock “used his enormous personal skills to strengthen the close relationships with our most important strategic ally” during his time in Washington.

“Andrew had a rich life outside politics,” said the Prime Minister. “He had a lifelong love of horse racing and the Essendon Football Club. His love of his daughters was a mainstay of his life. In later life, his wider family also brought him immense happiness.

“To his wife Penne and his family, Jenny and I extend the sympathies of the Government and the Liberal Party.”