Nick Staikos MP pays tribute to Simon Crean
The Member for Bentleigh Nick Staikos has paid a moving tribute to Labor Party stalwart Simon Crean who has died at the age of 74. You can listen to the podcast from A Newsman and His Music here. Photo courtesy Nick Staikos.
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Nick Staikos wrote on Facebook:
“Simon Crean was the reason I joined the Labor Party.
As a school student, I watched him as Opposition Leader prosecute the case against the Howard Government’s decision to join the war in Iraq, something I felt strongly about at the time.
By chance, I then got to meet him. I was 16 and helping out in my mum and dad’s coffee shop, which was up the road from his office. One day, Simon popped in for a coffee. I was starstruck. He told me I should join the Labor Party. I did, and the rest is history.
A few years later, he was pounding the pavement with me when I ran for Council, and again when I ran for Parliament.
I also got to work in his office. He was an inspirational boss who taught me so much, but especially about the value of working as part of a collective.
Simon achieved so much in politics. Federal MP, Minister, Leader.
He led the labour movement as party leader, but also President of the Australian Council of Trade Unions. The only other person who has led both was Bob Hawke.
This is a significant loss.
Vale Simon. Thanks for everything.”