Vale The Honourable Simon Crean

26 June 2023

Vale The Honourable Simon Crean
26 February 1949 – 25 June 2023

Tribute

The Honourable Simon Crean

Monash University is profoundly saddened to acknowledge the passing of our Deputy Chancellor, The Honourable Simon Crean, yesterday.

A Monash alumnus, Mr Crean joined the trade union movement on graduating in 1970, going on to become a leading figure in government, politics and industrial relations. After serving as ACTU President, he represented the seat of Hotham in the Federal Parliament from 1990 to 2013 and was a Cabinet member under four Labor Prime Ministers. He was shadow minister in the Labor Opposition (1996-2007), Leader of the Opposition (2001-2003) and remained a senior figure within the Australian Labor Party, including as Minister for Trade (2007-2010), until retiring from politics in 2013.

Mr Crean returned to Monash as a member of the University Council in 2014 and has served as Deputy Chancellor since 2020. His contributions over the past nine years, drawing on his remarkable experience earned over decades in politics in areas as diverse as employment, education and training, social inclusion, the arts, science and technology, have been transformative for this University.

Among his most significant contributions, Mr Crean led the Council Working Party that developed the University’s first Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Statement in 2016, articulating the University’s commitment to sustainability and providing a framework for responsible and ethical practice. He subsequently also led the development of our second ESG Statement 2021-2025.

Mr Crean has Chaired the Estates Committee (subsequently ESG and Estates Committee) since 2020 and also served on the Resources and Finance Committee.

Mr Crean was a tireless advocate for the Monash Technology Precinct (MTP). A Board Member of the Greater South East Melbourne (GSEM) group, Mr Crean led a Council Working Party to develop and promote the MTP and served as a core member of the Monash Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) Authority Steering Committee, coordinating development of the new SRL train station at Clayton campus.

As Chair of the European Australian Business Council, he championed the strength of Australia’s higher education, research and innovation sectors and opportunities for increasing trade ties and investment in Australia.

Mr Crean's parliamentary career followed a distinguished career of more than 20 years in the trade union movement including as President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) from 1985 to 1990 and General Secretary of the Federated Storemen and Packers' Union from 1979 to 1985. During this time, he served on many national and international governing and advisory bodies. He had also served on the boards of Qantas and the Australian Industry Development Corporation.

Simon Findlay Crean was born in Melbourne to parents Mary, née Findlay, and Frank Crean, who was Deputy Prime Minister of Australia under Gough Whitlam. One of his brothers, David, was formerly a Member of the Tasmanian Parliament. His other brother, Stephen, died whilst skiing alone at Charlotte Pass, New South Wales in 1985, aged 38.

Mr Crean attended Melbourne High School and then came to Monash, where studied law and economics. He joined the trade union movement upon graduating, becoming General Secretary of the Storemen and Packers’ Union in 1979. He became Vice-President of ACTU in 1981 and was elected President in 1985. Upon his election to the Australian Parliament in 1990, he stood down from the role and immediately entered the Government as Minister for Science and Technology. He served in various roles until Labor was defeated at the 1996 election.

In 1998, Mr Crean was elected Deputy Leader of the Labor Party, replacing Gareth Evans, and later succeeded Kim Beazley as Leader of the Labor Party. He resigned in 2003 and was replaced by his Shadow Treasurer, Mark Latham.

However, he remained a senior figure within the party and was appointed Minister for Trade in 2007, before eventually retiring from politics in 2013. He was elected chair of the Australian Livestock Exporters Council the following year. Outside of politics, Simon was Patron of the North Melbourne Football Club. He received a Centenary Medal in 2001 and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws from Deakin University in 2014.

Mr Crean has been a peerless champion for Monash, who leaves a remarkable legacy both for the University and for the country he served for many decades. Mr Crean’s unwavering integrity, his bold vision for the future of this University and his generosity of spirit will be greatly missed by everybody who knew him.

Mr Crean is survived by his wife Carole and daughters Sarah and Emma.

The entire Monash community expresses our most profound thanks for the life and work of The Hon Simon Crean and extend our sincere condolences to Carole, Sarah and Emma.