Who is Simon Crean?
Crean had a long and distinguished political career, serving as a member of parliament from 1990 to 2013. Throughout his time in government, he held ministerial positions under the Hawke, Keating, Rudd, and Gillard administrations. From 2001 to 2003, he also served as the leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and the Leader of the Opposition. He was succeeded in this role by Mark Latham. Under Crean’s leadership, the Labor party opposed Australia’s involvement in the Iraq War, although it continued to support the Australian troops who served there.
Following his graduation from Monash University, Crean held various roles in trade unions before becoming an official within the Storeman and Packers Union (SPU). He was elected as the SPU’s General Secretary in 1979, which granted him a seat on the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU).
He subsequently became ACTU vice-president in 1981, before being elected ACTU president in 1985. In these roles, he played a key part in negotiating agreements on wages and other industrial matters as part of the Prices and Incomes Accord with the government of Prime Minister Bob Hawke, a fellow former ACTU president. During his tenure as ACTU president, Crean served on the boards of Qantas and the Australian Industry Development Corporation.
In 2014, after retiring from politics, Crean was elected chairman of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council, a position he held for two terms.
His unexpected passing occurred in Berlin, away from his home country, which adds to the sorrow and complexity of the situation. His passing leaves a significant void in Australian politics, and he will be remembered for his substantial contributions to the labor movement and his commitment to public service.
Simon Crean Cause of Death
Simon Findlay Crean, a prominent figure in Australian politics and trade unionism, tragically passed away suddenly while visiting Germany as part of an industry delegation on June 25, 2023, at the age of 74. The cause of death is unknown and hasn’t been announced to the public yet. This shocking news has sent ripples across the political spectrum and has brought a profound sense of loss to his family, colleagues, and the Australian public.
