Tim Fischer, former deputy PM, dies after battle with cancer
John Howard has paid tribute to his former deputy Tim Fischer, who has died aged 73.
Former deputy prime minister Tim Fischer has died at the age of 73 after a 10-year fight with cancer.
The former Nationals leader died last night at the Albury-Wodonga Cancer Centre, surrounded by close family members.
The Prime Minister said Fischer’s family would be offered a state funeral.
Mr Fischer late last year disclosed he was undergoing chemotherapy treatment in a Melbourne hospital after being diagnosed with acute leukaemia.
The year before, the former Nationals leader said he had been undergoing mild chemotherapy for a cancer first diagnosed in 2008.
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Mr Fischer, a former soldier who first became an MP at the age of 24, was Nationals leader from 1990 to 1999.
He was deputy prime minister in John Howard’s government from 1996 to 1999.
This evening, Mr Howard paid tribute to his former deputy, describing Mr Fischer as a “loyal coalitionist” and “an authentic character”.
He also commended Mr Fischer’s support for national gun laws following the Port Arthur massacre and credited him as being a crucial part of his election victory in 1996.
“I place on record both my affection and admiration for his contribution to public life in Australia,” Mr Howard said.
See John Howard’s tribute to Tim Fischer
Scott Morrison paid tribute to Mr Fischer as a “dear friend” who will “forever cast a big shadow on our nation”.
Mr Morrison phoned Mr Fischer’s wife, Judy Brewer, to offer his condolences when he landed in Hanoi on Thursday night.
Tim Fischer was a dear friend. Jenny and I are deeply saddened by Tim’s passing. Tim Fischer was a big Australian in every sense of the word. Big in stature, big in his belief, big in his passion, big in his vision for what Australians could achieve...
— Scott Morrison (@ScottMorrisonMP) August 22, 2019
Former deputy prime minister John Anderson said he was “loved and trusted across the nation”.
“Tim had displayed courage as a real virtue all his life and particularly in these last difficult days,” Mr Anderson said.
The former Farrer MP — who was trade minister and deputy prime minister in the early terms of the Howard government — supported tough gun control measures following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996 and later became the first resident Australian ambassador to the Vatican.
After retiring from public life, Mr Fischer moved with wife Judy to a cattle farm at Mudgegonga, near Yackandandah in Victoria’s northeast.
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said Mr Fischer was a “giant of the National Party”.
“Australia has lost one of its finest today with the passing of Tim Fischer AC,” Mr McCormack tweeted.
“Tim was a giant of the National Party. He embodied loyalty, kindness and courage. Regional Australia had no better friend. Heartfelt thoughts and condolences with Tim’s wife Judy, sons Harrison and Dominic.”
Acting Labor leader Richard Marles said Mr Fischer was a “giant of Australian politics”.
“Tim Fischer was an iconic representative of his community. There was no one who more epitomised country Australia than Tim Fischer,” Mr Marles said it in a statement.
“Tim’s political career spans across both state and federal politics. We know him well in the federal sphere, as leader of the National Party, deputy prime minister and minister for trade.
“It was during his time as deputy prime minister that Tim played a significant role in reforming Australia’s gun laws and continued to be a strong voice.
“Not only did Tim serve in the halls of parliament, but he served our country in Vietnam. It is this unique contribution to Australia which speaks volumes of the person Tim was.”
Former Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce told 2GB radio that Mr Fischer had been an essential component of the Howard government.
“Tim was the quintessential National Party politician,” Mr Joyce said. “At the start, people thought of him as quirky and then they realised that he was one of the most astute and able politicians that have probably ever graced the parliament.”
Former prime minister Tony Abbott said Mr Fischer was an “extraordinarily effective” leader of the Nationals.
“Tim Fischer was a great Australian character who made a fine contribution to our public life. He was an extraordinarily effective leader of the National Party, an excellent parliamentarian and a warm and genial colleague,” Mr Abbott tweeted.
“Part of Tim Fischer’s wonderful legacy is his renewing of Australians’ familiarity with Sir John Monash, our greatest General; someone who materially helped to win the Great War.”
Farewell Tim Fischer. A passionate Australian who always put his country first, as a soldier, MP & deputy PM & as Ambassador. Always curious, generous, loving & enthusiastic especially about trains & John Monash! Our love & sympathy are with Judy & their sons Harrison & Dominic.
— Malcolm Turnbull (@TurnbullMalcolm) August 22, 2019
Former Labor minister Craig Emerson labelled Mr Fischer as a “thoroughly decent man”. “Australia would not have its gun laws without Tim Fischer’s courage,” Mr Emerson said.
Australia’s ambassador to the US, Joe Hockey, said he was hugely saddened to hear of Mr Fischer’s passing.
“Any Australian that is grateful for our gun laws can thank Tim Fischer for his courage at that time,” he said on Twitter.
“Generations to come will owe him a great debt. We will miss you mate.”
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg added his tribute:
Saddened to hear of the passing of a great Australian, Tim Fischer. Much loved & deeply respected, The Boy from Boree Creek inspired us all with his enthusiasm & his leadership. I was proud to call him a friend. Our thoughts & prayers are with his family. pic.twitter.com/f5KGisR82z
— Josh Frydenberg (@JoshFrydenberg) August 22, 2019
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds said Mr Fischer was a “great Australian who touched the lives of many”.
Vale Timothy Andrew Fischer AC. A great Australian who touched the lives of many. A good man, respected politician & Vietnam Vet, serving as platoon commander and transport officer in the First Royal Australian Regiment. Thoughts are with his loved ones - he’ll be greatly missed.
— Linda Reynolds (@lindareynoldswa) August 22, 2019
Assistant Finance Minister Zed Seselja said Australia was “richer for his contribution”.
“Tim Fischer was a great Australian and a great bloke. He was driven to serve his community and did so with passion. Australia is richer for his contribution. My condolences to his family and loved ones. Rest in peace,” the ACT senator tweeted.
Tim Fischer has passed away. He did many things in his career, but I'll always remember him as the man who stood up to the extreme right to pass gun laws that still save around 200 lives every year. Here he is at the 2018 launch of Parliamentary Friends of Gun Control. #auspol pic.twitter.com/5U7vVfClsS
— Andrew Leigh (@ALeighMP) August 22, 2019
Former Labor leader Bill Shorten said he was a “doting dad and parent-carer”.
“Vale Tim Fischer. Doting dad and parent-carer, General Monash advocate, Veteran, Public Servant, Good Australia,” Mr Shorten tweeted.
Nationals frontbencher Darren Chester said Mr Fischer set the benchmark for respectful service for Australia.
“Vale Tim Fischer. A great Australian who set the benchmark for dedicated, respectful, passionate service to our country. In uniform, in Parliament and as a statesman he was a true gentleman. A life well-lived. Love to his family & friends at this difficult time.”
Just months ago Fischer told me that during his time in politics, he was most proud of his role in delivering national gun laws (which was hugely difficult for regional Australia) and expanding multilateral, regional and bilateral trade relationships. #auspol #TimFischer #vale
— Troy Bramston (@TroyBramston) August 22, 2019
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews paid tribute to Mr Fischer, saying he had lived his life in service to our nation, “from the jungles of Vietnam to the halls of our federal parliament”.
“He often said one of his proudest achievements was securing gun control reform,” Mr Andrews said.
“It is because of that same courage of his convictions that he leaves behind a legacy of a safer Australia.
“On behalf of all Victorians, we extend our deepest condolences to his wife Judy and everyone who loved him.”
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said the party extended its deepest condolences to Mr Fischer’s family and friends.
“Tim epitomised everything it means to be a great Australian,” Mr Walsh said. “A devoted family man, a farmer, a Vietnam War veteran, a member of parliament at state and federal levels, a federal minister, a Nationals leader and deputy PM, Tim was deeply respected by all sides of politics and by all those who had the honour of knowing and working with him.
“Tim left a lasting legacy from his time as deputy PM, serving at the time of the horrific Port Arthur massacre that changed our nation and led to the transformation of Australia’s firearm laws.”
Mr Walsh also paid tribute to Mr Fischer’s enthusiasm for trains.
“Tim’s passion for rail ensured the long-mooted Adelaide-Darwin rail link became reality and that many other infrastructure projects got the support and funding they needed to proceed,” he said.
“Tim was the sort of person who never stopped ringing to offer friendly advice, and it was always just that — friendly — as well as helpful and thoughtful. Tim was always thinking of others and our wider communities.
“Tim walked the world stage proudly representing Australia during his posting to Rome and his many overseas travels, but he was equally just as comfortable and happy holding court at home at a backyard barbecue.”
When Victorian Nationals deputy leader Steph Ryan entered state parliament as a 28-year-old five years ago, Tim Fischer sent her his top 10 tips for surviving the place.
Ms Ryan said Mr Fischer was a “generous and caring man who was never afraid to fight for what he believed in.”
“We will miss him greatly,” he said.
The Federal president of The Nationals, Larry Anthony, paid tribute to “a man who personified the true Australian spirit”.
“Tim Fischer was a soldier, a farmer, a politician, a leader, an ambassador, an
author, a husband, a father and above all a person of great dignity and honour,” he said.
“We pay great tribute and honour to Tim Fischer’s life of service to our nation — from battlefields on foreign lands to the halls of the Commonwealth Parliament — he was an outstanding, dedicated and remarkable Australian,” Mr Anthony said.
“Our sincerest thoughts and prayers are with Tim’s wife Judy and two children Harrison and Dominic at this very sad time.”
Additional reporting: Rachel Baxendale
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