Former deputy Prime Minister, ‘statesman’ Doug Anthony dead at 90

Australia’s longest-serving deputy prime minister is being remembered as an honourable man and a ‘true Aussie statesman,’

Doug Anthony, former deputy prime minister and leader of the National Country Party, pictured in 1979, has died, aged 90.

Australia’s longest-serving deputy prime minister, former Nationals leader Doug Anthony, is being remembered as an honourable man and a “true Australian statesman,” after his death aged 90.

His family confirmed he died at an aged care home in the town of his birth, Murwillumbah, northern NSW, on Sunday morning.

Mr Anthony was the leader of the Country/National Party from 1971 to 1984 and served as deputy prime minister between 1971-72 and 1975-83.

During several summers in the top job in the late 1970s to early 80s, Mr Anthony ran the country from a caravan near his northern NSW cottage at New Brighton, wearing shorts and thongs.

OBITUARY: The deputy PM who ran the nation from the beach

Asked by his children whether he was “boss of the country,” he replied: “No, I’m just doing my job”.

Mr Anthony was deputy to prime ministers John Gorton, Billy McMahon and Malcolm Fraser, and oversaw transformations in the country’s then two biggest export industries, wool and wheat.

Mr Anthony’s family said he was “very much a man of the Tweed region” and it was fitting that “he should depart this life from within the community that he loved so much”.

“His family is tremendously proud of his legacy. While always humble, he made a lasting contribution to the nation, and particularly to people in country Australia.”

Federal Nationals president Larry Anthony has remembered his father as a “great giver” who believed any problem could be overcome.

Larry said Mr Anthony loved his 89-year-old wife Margot in a “romance that never died” and was loved fiercely in return by his family, including three children and nine grandchildren in whom his spirit would live on.

“He was never judgmental, he was always humble but he had an inner-strength I haven’t seen in many characters in my life,” Larry told The Australian.

“He was always positive but when he made a decision he was resolute and he had a strength of character not just through his political career but later in life, about helping other people. He was a great giver.”

From politics to farming on his South Murwillumbah property Sunnymeadows, Larry said Mr Anthony remained a man of the soil and immersed himself in his local community.

“No matter what the adversity you had to overcome or were struck by, he was always very positive and really anything could be overcome,” he said.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Mr Anthony had been an outward-looking political leader and trusted political partner of Malcolm Fraser.

“Under Doug Anthony’s 13-year leadership, the Country Party evolved into the National Party. He described his party as one that keeps the balance in Australian political life,” Mr Morrison said.

“As minister for the interior, he would play a role in the development of Anzac Parade in Canberra as well as the construction of the National Library and the National Carillon.”

Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals leader Michael McCormack said Mr Anthony was one of the party’s “greatest sons and a stalwart of Australian politics”.

“Doug Anthony was a man of significant conviction and even more significant achievement,” Mr McCormack said.

“As Trade Minister, he expanded trade with Japan and China and was heavily involved in opening up opportunities in the ASEAN countries and in the Middle East and many other countries.”

“ … As Primary Industry Minister, he was heavily involved in measures affecting the major rural export industries: reconstruction of the dairy industry, the introduction of wheat quotas, the establishment of a wool reserve price scheme and the Australian Wool Commission and the upgrading of Australian export abattoirs.”

Mr McCormack said Mr Anthony was a “man of decency, integrity, purpose and resolve”.

“Tales of him in the capacity of Acting Prime Minister and leading the country from his caravan on the New South Wales North Coast make up the political fabric of our party and our nation,” he said.

“Mr Anthony, who succeeded his father Hubert Lawrence “Larry” and was succeeded by his son Larry in the seat of Richmond in northern NSW, became the party’s youngest leader after the retirement of Sir John “Black Jack” McEwen.”

Former Prime Minister John Howard - who served with Mr Anthony in the Fraser government - said Mr Anthony was an “immensely friendly and likeable colleague” who was “always willing to share his already quite considerable experience with me”.

“His contributions to cabinet discussions were always direct, understandable and well informed. He had that priceless gift of honing policy goals with political realities. His affable style endeared him to his colleagues and most importantly the farmers and other constituents he represented,” Mr Howard said.

“Although Doug Anthony preferred to remain in the background after he left politics in 1984, his help was invaluable to me during some of the Coalition’s difficulties later in that decade.”

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said: “Farewell Doug Anthony — a great Australian and our longest serving Deputy PM. An eloquent and committed advocate for an Australian republic often sharing a platform with his Liberal partner Malcolm Fraser and their old Labor rivals Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke.”

Mr Anthony was deputy to prime ministers John Gorton, Billy McMahon and Malcolm Fraser.

Former Nationals leader and deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce said Mr Anthony “personified the ideal Nationals’ leader”.

“Strong for the Coalition in front of the Opposition while being strong for the Nationals within the Coalition,” Mr Joyce said.

“He would call it for the country and mean it, and they knew it. Whilst a senior politician for our nation he remained a Northern NSW Coast man from the Kennedys of Australia.”

“If you like politics you will read who Doug Anthony was.”

Deputy leader of the Nationals David Littleproud said the “National party family” was in mourning, calling Mr Anthony a “giant of rural and regional politics and a legend of the National party”.

“Together with the Deputy Prime Minister and on behalf of the entire federal Nationals parliamentary team I extend my deepest condolences to the Anthony family and to the New South Wales North Coast community that he hailed from,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Doug served his electorate of Richmond in Northern New South Wales as well as our nation with distinction as leader of the Country Party and National Party for over 12 years, including as deputy prime minister for almost 10 years. During his tenure both as Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, Doug shaped and influenced the national policy agenda and delivered major wins for Australian farmers, our resources industry and for Australian exports.”

“Doug Anthony epitomised the finest qualities of leadership and service and leaves a significant legacy for future generations of National Party representatives to uphold and continue.”

“Our nation has been made richer because of the work he did and we are all poorer for his passing.”

Hearing of his death, Nationals Senator Matt Canavan wrote: “Sad to hear of the passing of Doug Anthony, a true Australian statesman who led the Country Party and served as Deputy Prime Minister with a true Aussie larrikin spirit. Doug was never afraid to fight for the best interests of Australians. Prayers with his family.”

“My favourite Doug story was when he was flying over to NZ as Trade Minister. He finished reading his papers and turned to his adviser and asked “Why am I going over for? There is nothing here to discuss?” So Doug just added to the agenda and the Aus-NZ Free Trade Deal was born.”

Broadcaster Alan Jones, who worked for Mr Anthony as well as Mr Fraser, said Mr Anthony’s passing “almost ends an era of real competence, dignity and unrivalled decency in the administration of government”.

“He was an unapologetic defender of the bloke in the bush and provided a constant reminder of the importance of country Australia to our wealth and wellbeing,” Mr Jones said.

“Doug and Margot won respect and made friends right across the political divide. It was not uncommon at a Cabinet meeting for the Deputy PM to simply caution courteously that “we won’t be leaving here until this matter is resolved”.”

“And the battle for the bush was invariably won.”

“The passing of Doug Anthony is a metaphorical crashing of a giant oak tree in the forest of Australian politics.

“To those who knew him, he will not be forgotten. To those who succeed him, he leaves many lessons to be learnt.”

Former federal director of the Liberal Party Brian Loughnane said Mr Anthony was critical to the success of the Fraser government, and was a strong Country/Nationals leader and “committed coalitionist”.

“An honourable man who gave much to Australia and will be missed,” Mr Loughnane wrote.

Mr Anthony is survived by his wife Margot, three children, Dugald, Jane and Larry, and nine grandchildren.