Malcolm Turnbull (Wentworth, Liberal Party, Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Hansard source

It is with great sadness that I rise on behalf of the opposition to support this condolence motion. Mr Frank Crean was born on 28 February 1916 in Hamilton in Victoria. After a period in state politics, he was elected in 1951 to represent the people of Melbourne Ports, a seat he held for 26 years. He was one of the few members of the House in those days with formal qualifications in economics. He rose to become the first Labor Treasurer in 23 years, in the Whitlam government—a position he held from December 1972 until December 1974. Frank Crean was of course replaced as Treasurer by Jim Cairns—a decision that, with the benefit of hindsight, was probably not a very wise one.

From December 1974 until the end of the Whitlam government, Frank Crean was Minister for Overseas Trade, a portfolio his son Simon now holds. He served as Deputy Prime Minister for the last six months of the Whitlam government and retired at the 1977 election. As the Treasurer, Frank Crean faced difficult international and domestic conditions: rising inflation, slowing growth, growing unemployment and an international oil shock. Similarly, he faced internal party challenges. From early in the Whitlam government he warned against excessive spending and later remarked words that many other treasurers and finance ministers would feel some sympathy with:

I had 23 ministers who each reckoned he could spend as much as the total budget was.

In 1946 Frank Crean married Mary Findlay, to whom he was married for over 60 years. In many ways it is in Frank Crean’s family that we find his greatest legacy. His character is reflected in his sons who, despite our political differences, are recognised around this House as very decent and dedicated men. The Labor movement is very rightly proud of the record of public service of the Crean family and in particular our colleague Simon, to whom we extend our very deepest sympathy.

Frank Crean was a decent, loyal and faithful servant of his party. He was always motivated by the public interest and what he thought was good for Australia. He was not in politics for personal gain. He did not speak ill of others and he saw good in his opponents. I note in particular the comments last night of the member for Berowra, the only remaining member of this House who served with Frank Crean. The member for Berowra said:

He was an exemplar in the way in which he carried out his own role, but he encouraged people like me, even though I was of a different political persuasion.

Malcolm Fraser has described him as:

One of the most decent and honourable members of parliament I have ever known.

Frank Crean died yesterday on the 36th anniversary of the election of the Whitlam government and was the oldest surviving member of that federal parliament. This year we have farewelled some of the greats of the Labor movement, John Button and Clyde Cameron. Frank Crean ranks in that same company. He is remembered for his modesty, his humility and his dedication to public service. He was in every sense a gentleman. On behalf of the coalition I offer our sincere condolences to his wife, his sons and the entire Crean family.

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