Peter Reith, the former member for Flinders and deputy leader of the Liberal Party renowned for his battle against the dockers’ union, has died aged 72.
“It is with deep sadness that we confirm that following a brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease Peter Reith died peacefully on the afternoon of 8 November 2022,” his family said in a statement.
“We are proud of his many achievements and his lifelong commitment to public service. A beloved grandfather, father, husband, brother, friend and respected colleague. He will be dearly missed and always cherished.”
Reith was elected to parliament as the member for Flinders in 1982 and served under Malcolm Fraser, Andrew Peacock, John Hewson, Alexander Downer and John Howard.
The politician from Victoria served in the House of Representatives from 1982 to 1983 and from 1984 to 2001.
He was the Liberal party’s deputy leader from 1990 to 1993 and served as a minister in the Howard government, having the portfolios of industrial relations, small business, employment and workplace relations and finally defence.
Howard led the tributes to a man he called his “dear friend” and a “great warrior” for the Liberal party, especially in his willingness to take on the unions in reforming working practices on Australia’s waterfronts.
“The Liberal party has lost a tireless champion of what it believes in,” Howard said.
He told the Australian: “Peter Reith was a great warrior for the Liberal cause and supported free-enterprise, market-based solutions and an industrial relations system that allowed energetic businesses and employees to prosper.”
The current Liberal leader, Peter Dutton, also paid tribute to Reith.
“If ever there was a stalwart of the Liberal party, it was Peter Reith,” Dutton said in statement.
“Peter’s political legacy is extensive. He will be remembered most, however, for his fearlessness in the face of extreme union intimidation – especially by freeing up the waterfront to ensure Australia had a more productive, forward-looking economy. He was an architect of pivotal workplace reform which put the interests of employers and employees first.”
In the 2001 election campaign Reith became embroiled in the “children overboard affair”. The Howard government claimed that asylum seekers threw children overboard but failed to correct the record when advised there was no evidence for the claims.
After leaving politics Reith served as a company director and political commentator.
