Today the Australian Parliament and the Australian Labor Party mourn the passing of the Honourable Frank Crean.
Mr Crean passed away peacefully today aged 92, as the oldest former member of the Australian Federal Parliament.
Frank Crean was a genuine Labor legend, he played a seminal role in Labor politics helping build and rebuild the Party in some of its darkest days, and served as one of the finest ministers in the Whitlam Government.
After service in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, Mr Crean was first elected as the Federal Member for Melbourne Ports in 1951.
On the election of the Whitlam Government in 1972, Mr Crean entered Cabinet as Treasurer, delivering the first Labor Budget after 23 years in opposition. Following a period as Minister for Overseas Trade, in 1975 Mr Crean was appointed to the position of Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.
During the life of the Whitlam Government, Frank Crean's dedication, determination and commitment to his beliefs was legendary.
At the 1977 election Mr Crean retired, having served the people of Melbourne Ports and the people of Australia with great distinction for 26 years.
It is testament to his passion and enduring commitment to Labor values that Frank Crean continued attending local branch meetings well into his twilight years.
Frank Crean was the patriarch of a great Labor family with two sons also serving as Ministers in Labor Governments, including my cabinet colleague and friend, the Trade Minister Simon Crean.
My sincere condolences go to his family and friends, in particular his wife Mary, who shared a partnership and life together with Frank over 63 years of marriage.
The Australian Labor Party and people of Australia owe Frank Crean a significant debt of gratitude for his contribution to Australian public life.