Former Howard government minister Peter Reith dies after battle with Alzheimer’s disease

Former Howard government minister and industrial relations reformer Peter Reith has died at the age of 72 following a long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

A spokesman for Reith’s family said on Tuesday night Reith had “died peacefully” earlier on Tuesday afternoon.

Former Howard government minister Peter Reith.Credit: Arsineh Houspian

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm that following a brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease Peter Reith died peacefully on the afternoon of 8 November 2022,” Ian Hanke, a former ministerial staffer to Reith, said.

“We are proud of his many achievements and his lifelong commitment to public service. A beloved grandfather, father, husband, brother, friend and respected colleague. He will be dearly missed and always cherished.”

Reith was the member for the Victorian seat of Flinders from 1982 to 1983 and from 1984 to 2001.

He is best known for his tenure as industrial relations minister under John Howard, during which time he introduced tough reforms following the 1998 waterfront dispute.

Reith was one of the three key figures in the Children Overboard Affair, in which the government falsely claimed that asylum seekers had thrown their children out of their leaky fishing boat. The claims were made ahead of the 2001 election which Reith did not contest.

In the 1999 referendum, Reith campaigned for a republic and favoured a directly elected president.

Howard led tributes and said in a statement that he had lost a “dear friend” who had played a “major role” in the successful reforms of his government. In particular, the former prime minister pointed to what he said was the need for “long-overdue reform of the Australian waterfront” with the “crucial assistance” of Chris Corrigan of Patrick Stevedores.

“However contested the outcome of the 1998 waterfront dispute may have been, it was undeniable that world ranking productivity replaced ruinous behaviour which severely damaged some of the most productive businesses in Australia,” Howard said.

Peter Costello, John Howard and Peter Reith in 1999.Credit: Andrew Campbell

“Peter Reith was a great warrior for the Liberal cause.”

Howard said Reith believed in free enterprise, market-based solutions, and an industrial relations system that “allowed energetic businesses and workers alike to prosper” and had advocated and supported the introduction of the GST.

“The Liberal Party has lost a tireless champion of what it believes in. I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife Kerrie and his four sons, and their families,” Howard said.

Tony Abbott, who served in cabinet with Reith before becoming Liberal leader and prime minister in 2013, said Reith was “one of the very biggest of the many big figures in the Howard government”.

“He was a fine role model for everyone who’s in public life to make a difference rather than simply hold an office,” Abbott said.

Former foreign minister and one-time Liberal leader Alexander Downer told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age that Reith was his “best friend in politics”.

“It’s terribly sad although not unexpected, he went into palliative care a couple of weeks ago,” Downer said.

“He was a rare politician who combined conviction, courage and charm.”

“If ever there was a stalwart of the Liberal Party, it was Peter Reith,” Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said on Tuesday night.

“Peter served under Liberal leaders Malcolm Fraser, Andrew Peacock, John Hewson, Alexander Downer and John Howard. He was loyal to each leader as he was to his party, whether in government or opposition.

“His analytical and sharp policy mind was reflected in the positions he held as a shadow minister, from industrial relations and education to foreign affairs and defence to education and sport, and more besides. Peter was a powerful and effective manager of opposition business.

“Peter’s political legacy is extensive. He will be remembered most, however, for his fearlessness in the face of extreme union intimidation – especially by freeing up the waterfront to ensure Australia had a more productive, forward-looking economy. He was an architect of pivotal workplace reform which put the interests of employers and employees first.”

Reith is survived by his wife Kerrie, and four sons Paul, Simon, David and Robert.

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