Former Liberal Party president and Carlton president John Elliott dies at 79

John Elliott, the corporate titan who ‘Fosterised’ the world, presided over the federal Liberal Party and the Carlton Football Club, only to lose his fortune after the end of the 1980s boom, has died in Melbourne, aged 79.

John Elliott in 2004. He transformed pastoral company Elders into a brewing behemoth. Picture: AAP

John Elliott, the corporate titan who “Fosterised’’ the world, presided over the federal Liberal Party and the Carlton Football Club, only to lose his fortune after the end of the 1980s boom, has died in Melbourne, aged 79.

Mr Elliott’s son, 3AW broadcaster Tom Elliott, revealed his father’s death on Thursday evening: “Dad will be greatly missed by his four children Tom, Caroline, Edward and Alexandra. Their children Henry, Sebastian, India, Ava, Lottie and Mathilda will remember forever their ‘Grandpa Jack’.”

Gruff, chain-smoking and outspoken, Mr Elliott became a household name at a time when corporate titans such as Kerry Packer, Alan Bond, Christopher Skase and Robert Holmes a Court dominated Australia’s business world.

Andrew Peacock, left, and John Elliott on election night in 1987.

But as federal Liberal Party president, Mr Elliott was also a powerful figure in Canberra political circles and an assiduous fundraiser at a time when the Liberal Party was struggling electorally against the Hawke-Keating government.

By the late 80s as the leadership battles between John Howard and Andrew Peacock divided the party, Mr Elliott was mentioned in some circles as a potential future Liberal leader and prime minister.

Mr Elliott rose in business circles through the 1970s and 80s, transforming pastoral company Elders into a brewing behemoth that controlled Carlton and United Breweries and ultimately propelled Foster’s into a global beer brand.

At the height of his corporate powers, Mr Elliott also held a seat on the BHP board.

John Elliott leaves the Melbourne Magistrates court, where he faced drink-driving charges, in 2018. Picture: Nicole Garmston

But fallout from an ultimately ill-fated buyout of Elders IXL led to a court battle that cost him his $80m fortune.

He declared bankruptcy in the early 2000s.

In Melbourne, he is best known for his 20-year reign as the president of the Carlton club.

While Carlton won several flags under Elliott’s presidency, he resigned in November 2002, 24 hours before the board could sack him in a year the club won the wooden spoon.

Former Carlton club captain Anthony Koutoufides praised Elliott. “When I think of Carlton, I think of him. What a man he is. I love him,” Koutoufides said. “He was such a character. But also his leadership and the culture he created there. That’s a special talent.

“He loved and embraced the players as if we were part of his family. He made it so much fun to be there.”

Tom Elliott said his father died at the Epworth Hospital in inner-city Richmond after a short illness. “Also in mourning are John’s brother Ross, sister-in-law Jenny, former partner Joanne and second wife Amanda. They are joined in grief by numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and other close relatives. Vale, Dad.”

Former Victorian premier and close friend Jeff Kennett described Mr Elliott as a “loud, colourful and committed Liberal who redefined corporate, political and sporting life in Australia.

OBITUARY: Life of beers and Blues

“He was larger than life in the 80s and 90s, larger than life in business, larger than life in politics,” Mr Kennett told The Australian.

Mr Kennett said Mr Elliott could have been prime minister.

“Whether he would have been a good prime minister or not, God only knows, but he was only a hair’s breadth away from an opportunity to be PM,” he said.

Mr Kennett said had Roger Shipton, the sitting member for the Melbourne seat of Higgins, stepped aside in 1990 before the federal election, Mr Elliott may have achieved his ambition.

John Elliott and his then wife Amanda in 1991.

“He was an absolute advocate of the private sector, he was ¬obviously a very committed Liberal,” he said.

Mr Kennett said his friend’s decision to form The 500 Club – a Liberal fundraising organisation – helped propel his own victory in the 1992 Victorian election.

“If you weren’t part of The 500 Club, you weren’t part of the corporate or political life of Australia,” he said.

“The functions that John Elliott held, there was no holding back.

“They were loud, they were colourful, everyone was there.

“He was always very opinionated, but he was always opinionated in the things that he believed in.”

Josh Frydenberg said Mr Elliott was a great Victorian Liberal. “He was a larger than life figure who will be greatly missed,” the Treasurer said.

John Elliott, right, celebrates with Carlton AFL players after a semi-final in 1999.