Simon Crean remembered as a huge advocate for Australian agriculture

Former Primary Industries Minister Simon Crean has been remembered as a “huge advocate for farmers” following his death at 74.

Former Labor leader Simon Crean has died in Europe.

The Australian agriculture industry is mourning the death of former Agriculture Minister Simon Crean.

Mr Crean, who was Primary Industries Minister in the Hawke and Keating governments between 1991 until 1993 and later served as Trade Minister under Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, passed away in Europe. He was 74.

According to media reports Mr Crean, who was opposition leader from 2001 to 2003, died after suffering a heart attack while hiking in Germany on the weekend.

Mr Crean was elected to the Victorian seat of Hotham in 1990 and served in a number of portfolios up until his retirement from politics at the 2013 election. In October 2014 was elected chairman of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council.

National Farmers’ Federation president Fiona Simson last night described Mr Crean as a “huge advocate for farmers and for free trade, both during and after his political life” and said he would be sorely missed.

“I’ve been honoured to have worked with him across a number of advisory positions and have always appreciated and respected his support for our industry and the people in it,” Ms Simson said.

Nationals leader and former Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said he was saddened by Mr Crean’s passing, having worked closely with him during his tenure at ALEC.

“Simon Crean has contributed much to this country and we are a better country for that as we think of his family in this time of sadness for them,” Mr Littleproud said.

On Twitter this morning, Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said Mr Crean “made a difference as a principled, reformist Primary Industries and Trade Minister” and was “a consistent champion for regional Australia”.

“As Minister, Simon drove Australia’s first drought policy, led industry restructuring and was an early advocate of Australia’s image as a clean, environmentally sustainable food producer,” Senator Watt wrote.

“Simon forged strong, respectful relationships with the sector which continued post politics.

“Simon was always generous with his advice to the current crop of ministers. In my case, he had thoughful suggestions on agricultural trade and regional development as recently as a few weeks ago.”