Tributes flow for Beattie-era Labor minister Rod Welford

A Beattie-era minister has been remembered as a great reformer who rose above factional wars.

Rod Welford opening a bilby exhibit at Dreamworld. He has been remembered as one of Queensland’s most effective environment ministers.

Beattie-era minister Rod Welford has been remembered as a great reformer who rose above Labor factional wars, saving the fights for his beloved environment and other causes.

His partner of 32 years, Gayle Morton, confirmed the former education and environment minister and Attorney-General passed away on Saturday morning after a battle with cancer.

A super fit swimmer and surfer who was a member of the Burleigh Heads Mowbray Park Surf Club for half a century, his death at just 66 came as a shock to those who knew him.

They said it was testament to his strong convictions that one of his final acts was to donate $1m to Queensland Gives to support the causes closest to his heart — environmental protection, social reform and education.

“I’ve had a wonderful life and what I know is it’s the energy and resources, personal resources you commit to people and the world beyond yourself that will always provide you with more satisfaction than just providing for yourself,” he told the charity.

Mr Welford with Tikki the koala at Parliament House. Picture: AAP/Lisa Davies

One of his greatest achievements was pushing through land clearing legislation in the face of bitter opposition from rural Queenslanders.

It took personal courage, particularly the day he stood alongside then Premier Peter Beattie in Winton to face thousands of angry grazing families.

Another key reform was to merge the environment portfolio with natural resources, a move opposed by greenies but which meant mine approvals came under independent scrutiny for the first time.

Veteran conservationist Drew Hutton, who caught up with Mr Welford for coffee only three weeks ago, described him as an “excellent minister’’.

Then Attorney-General Rod Welford in action at a triathlon. Picture: Nathan Richter

“We gave him a fairly hard time but Labor was blessed to have some good environment ministers and he was one of them,’’ Mr Hutton said.

“I think he was one of the government’s better performers and he never fed you nonsense on what he could do for you.’’

Other environmental achievements included the nation’s first large-scale water efficiency scheme, expanding national parks by 400,000ha, regional forestry agreements and better protection for wild rivers.

A prominent solicitor of the Supreme Court and barrister of the High Court before he joined the “class of ’89’’ after winning the seat of Stafford, he drove numerous reforms as Attorney-General.

He also thrived in the education portfolio.

Visiting Pacific Pines State School which won the National Robocup Dance competition.

Colleague Rob Schwarten said Mr Welford’s love of education, which included setting up the unique educational campus at Kelvin Grove on Brisbane’s northside, made him late for Cabinet one day.

“I’d had to get up at 4am to get there in time (from Rockhampton) and Rod comes in 15 minutes late,’’ he recalled.

“Beattie took a dim view and asked what the problem was. Rod said he had been playing bongo drums with the kids at Kelvin Grove.’’

Mr Schwarten said his friend and colleague had a great sense of humour and was proud of his fitness, sometimes doing laps in the pool before breakfast at community cabinet meetings while his bleary-eyed fellow ministers were downing coffee.

Rod Welford with daughter Lisa at his beloved beach.

He once challenged frontbencher Bob Gibbs, a burly ex-boilermaker, to swim from his Burleigh surf club to North Burleigh.

“I agreed, on one condition — that he put on the (boxing) gloves and go three rounds with me first in the parliamentary gym,’’ Mr Gibbs said. Mr Welford passed.

Mr Beattie praised him as “one of the smartest and most thoughtful members of my cabinets’’. “His enormous capacity to think outside the box was something I always respected and valued,’’ he said.

Former Labor Premier Steven Mile posted that Mr Welford was “a legend in everything he did — as a terrific Labor MP and Minister, but as a Queenslander and a mate too’’.

“He was a change agent, never satisfied unless he was working on reform, always restless to modernise.’’

Premier Peter Beattie shaves Mr Welford for the Leukaemia Foundation's Shave for a Cure. Picture: AAP/Gillian Ballard

Premier David Crisafulli said Mr Welford entered politics at a time of great change for the state.

“He left his mark as someone who cared deeply for his community, the legal profession and the environment. Our thoughts are with his family as they navigate this difficult time,’’ he said.

There were of course controversies along the way, notably a Crime and Misconduct Commission investigation after indecent dealing charges against top swim coach Scott Volkers were dropped.

Mr Welford, who was Attorney-General at the time, attended St Paul’s in Bald Hills with Volkers, sparking an uproar from the Opposition.

But in 2020 the Brisbane District Court permanently stayed the charges, while a CMC investigation cleared Mr Welford of any wrongdoing.

Mr Welford walks out of politics after announcing his retirement.

He stepped down in 2009, following stints in other portfolios including the arts and training.

He also helped in the creation of the Queensland Academy of Sport.

In his retirement Mr Welford pursued his passions, including renewables and recycling.

His colleagues said one of the things they remembered most clearly was his love for daughter Lisa, who has Down Syndrome.

He was mostly a single father while raising her and would often take her to Parliament.

Mr Welford is survived by partner Gayle Morton, daughter Lisa, his sister Karen and mother Gwen, a great swimmer herself and former lifesaver.

Originally published as Tributes flow for Beattie-era Labor minister Rod Welford