Simon Crean was a valued and well-respected colleague during the thirty-plus years that I knew him.
I first met Simon when he was Minister for Primary Industries and Energy in the Hawke and Keating Governments, and I was the President of the Queensland Graingrowers Association.
He showed a deep respect for regional Australia and the agricultural sector and worked constructively with us during challenging times including drought.
That trait was evident during the fifteen years we served together in the Federal Parliament from my election in 1998 through to Simon’s retirement in 2013.
Despite being on opposite sides of the Parliament, Simon was an honest broker on key policy areas including trade and regional development and he brought significant gravitas to the Parliament through his deep convictions.
Post-politics I continued to meet with Simon on occasion to discuss the issues of the day. His interest in politics never waned, nor did his passion for the workers and community he served.
He will be missed, but will stand as an example to the next generation of politicians.
