Vale Simon Crean

Statement by AJBCC President Peter Grey: The Hon Simon Crean

On behalf of the Australia Japan Business Co-operation Committee (AJBCC) I wish to express profound shock and sorrow at the passing of the Hon Simon Crean. In the context of a lifetime of service to the Australian people in a range of senior ministerial positions, and a major contribution to both domestic and international policy across the board, Mr Crean was a firm friend of the Australia-Japan business relationship, particularly in his role as Minister for Trade from 2007-10, in which capacity he inaugurated the Australia-Japan Trade and Economic Ministerial Dialogue in 2009 and participated in a number of AJBCC/JABCC events.

At this sad time we extend our deep condolences to Mr Crean’s family and friends, and to our colleagues and friends in the Australia-Korea Business Council and the European Australian Business Council (EABC), of which he was the chair. He will be sorely missed.