GSEM welcomes King’s Birthday honour for Simon Crean

Greater South East Melbourne warmly welcomes the King’s Birthday Honour for former GSEM Independent Board Director Simon Crean.

Mr Crean was posthumously awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia, the nation’s highest civilian honour.

“It is entirely fitting that such a great Australian should receive our nation’s greatest honour,” GSEM Chair Simon McKeon said.

“Simon dedicated his life to public service, especially to the working people of Australia.

“He was deeply engaged across many policy areas that included the arts, indigenous communities, infrastructure, higher education and renewable energy – always believing we could do more and better.

“Simon’s career was one of public service, from becoming a leading figure in the trade union movement, to leader of the federal opposition.

“He was determined to ensure that everyone had a fair go and, in particular, a fair chance to contribute via appropriate employment.

“He was renowned for his decency, kindness, generosity, humility, compassion and intellect.

“After he left Parliament – including as an Independent Board Member of GSEM – he worked hard to help ensure that future generations could gain the jobs and skills they need to live fulfilled and prosperous lives.

“I’m proud to say that GSEM continues to build on Simon’s legacy. We held a Jobs and Skills Summit in May and will launch our Jobs and Skills Roadmap in Canberra towards the end of this month.

“Simon would have loved this, because for him there was a direct link between policy and the quality of peoples’ lives.

“Simon was a fierce advocate for structural reform, always pushing to improve the governance and mechanisms that underpin state and federal government jobs and skills policy.

“Simon is sorely missed by the Greater South East Melbourne community where he served across multiple roles since he was first elected as the Member for Hotham in 1990,” Mr McKeon said.

“Though Simon’s family has suffered a great loss, they can all be rightly proud of the magnificent contribution he made to the country and to the people of the Greater South East Melbourne region.

“In many ways this honour is for Carole too, whose support and work with Simon undoubtedly helped make Australia a better place.”