STATEMENT ON THE PASSING OF THE RIGHT HONOURABLE DOUG ANTHONY AC, CH

Today we mourn the loss of one of The National Party’s greatest sons and a stalwart of Australian politics, The Right Honourable Doug Anthony AC, CH.

Mr Anthony, Deputy Prime Minister from 1971-72 and again from 1975-83, passed away on Sunday aged 90.

Doug Anthony was a man of significant conviction and even more significant achievement.

The outcomes Doug Anthony secured for regional and rural Australia have stood the test of time. He was dedicated to ensuring country Australians had a strong voice in Government and that they were not just listened to, but that they were front of mind for Government decision-makers.

Doug Anthony stood up for country communities and as part of the Menzies, Holt, McMahon and Fraser Governments, he opened up great opportunities for regional Australia on the world stage.

He served at a time when Australia was undergoing significant changes.

As Trade Minister, he expanded trade with Japan and China and was heavily involved in opening up opportunities in the ASEAN countries and in the Middle East and many other countries. 

Mr Anthony understood the enormous benefits trade could bring to the agricultural and mining industries and therefore all of regional and rural Australia.

Mr Anthony had a major role in the formulation of policies and in negotiations leading to the development of Australia’s resource industries and in encouraging increased minerals exploration.

As Primary Industry Minister, he was heavily involved in measures affecting the major rural export industries: reconstruction of the dairy industry, the introduction of wheat quotas, the establishment of a wool reserve price scheme and the Australian Wool Commission and the upgrading of Australian export abattoirs.

He was a man of decency, integrity, purpose and resolve. Tales of him in the capacity of Acting Prime Minister and leading the country from his caravan on the New South Wales North Coast make up the political fabric of our party and our nation.

Mr Anthony, who succeeded his father Hubert Lawrence “Larry” and was succeeded by his son Larry in the seat of Richmond in northern New South Wales, became the party’s youngest leader after the retirement of Sir John “Black Jack” McEwen.

Mr Anthony never took a backwards step in advocating for our regions. It is because of Mr Anthony that The National Party stands today in its 100th year of existence.

Today our thoughts are with Mr Anthony’s wife Margot, children Dugald, Jane and Larry, as well as all of his family.

Rural and regional Australia has lost one of our greatest today.