Doug Anthony remembered as ‘man of strength and decency’ at state funeral

John Howard has delivered a touching eulogy at the state funeral of Doug Anthony, Australia’s longest-serving deputy PM.

Margot Anthony, widow of former federal politician Doug Anthony, is greeted by a mourner at this state memorial service at the Tweed Heads Service Club. Mr Anthony, the nation's longest-served deputy prime minister, died on December 20, 2020 aged 90. Picture: POOL via NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Doug Anthony was a man defined by his “strength and decency” according to former Prime Minister John Howard, who eulogised the former National Party leader at his state funeral on Thursday.

Mr Howard remembered the country’s longest serving deputy prime minister as an “emissary for the producers of Australia” through his near three-decade career as the member for Richmond, in northern NSW. The ceremony at Tweed Heads followed Anthony’s death last month at 90, and was attended by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Nationals leader Michael McCormack.

“He was a person who made an everlasting contribution to the solidity, the strength and the achievements of that side of politics, for which, at an early age, I was very deeply affected,” Mr Howard said.

Former Australian prime minister John Howard speaks during the state memorial service for Doug Anthony. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“Doug Anthony exuded many qualities. The two that shone through to me were the qualities of strength and decency.

“He didn’t bully people but the strength of his personality and the strength of his arguments won through.

“In every part of the world he was an emissary for the producers of Australia, the exporters of Australia, the agriculturalists of Australia, and the miners of Australia.

“He was a man who respected the importance of the Coalition.”

John Douglas Anthony was born into a political family, the son of federal MP Hubert Anthony. He spent his early years between Canberra and the family’s home in Murwillumbah following the death of his mother.

Doug Anthony in 1974.

After his father’s death in 1957, 27-year-old Anthony entered politics after winning the seat of Richmond. He held several cabinet positions through his 27-year career, including minister for the interior, primary industry, and trade and resources.

In 1971, he became the youngest person to assume leadership of the National Party, succeeding John McEwen. Anthony served as deputy prime minister for ­almost two years under John Gorton and William McMahon until December 1972, and then eight years under Malcolm Fraser from 1975 to 1983.

Anthony’s son and president of the Nationals, Larry Anthony, said his father’s humble upbringing and marriage to wife, Margot, influenced, moulded and grounded him through his political career.

“My father did not directly seek power, the power and responsibility came to him, and he discharged this with enormous capacity, enthusiasm, energy and wisdom,” Mr Anthony said.

“And many of Doug’s qualities were passed on from his father through the battles that he had to endure during the two world wars but grounded with Dad was Margot, the farm, the family and his local community.

Scott Morrison speaks during the state memorial service. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“This, I believe, made him a good leader.”

Ms Anthony, who the former politician referred to as his “rosebud of the Tweed”, thanked the electorate for their condolences over the past few weeks.

“He loved life, we both did, and we shared it for 64 year of marriage. It was a life full of rich adventures and experiences, far beyond our dreams,” said Ms Anthony in a statement read by son, Dougald.

“I believe and hope Australia is a better place because of Doug.”

During the Fraser government, Anthony developed a tradition of governing the country through the Christmas period — while the prime minister was on leave — from his caravan parked in his electorate, known affectionately as “the Prime Ministerial Caravan”.

Doug Anthony with wife Margot at their farm on the outskirts of Murwillumbah in far northern NSW.

Anthony established the Australian Wool Corporation, played a vital role in the development of Canberra’s annual ANZAC Parade, championed the construction of the National Library, and worked to modernise Australia’s global trade.

He was awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia in recognition of his service to the Australian parliament in 2003.

As one of the longest-serving members of parliament, Anthony retired in 1984 in his early 50s and returned home to his farm called “Sunny Meadows” in Murwillumbah.

He is survived by his wife Margot, his three children, and nine grandchildren.