Former Howard government minister Peter Reith has died, age 72, after a long battle with illness.
He died peacefully this afternoon after a “brave battle” with Alzheimer’s disease, a family spokesman said.
“We are proud of his many achievements and his lifelong commitment to public service,” the family said, according to a statement released by former staffer Ian Hanke.
“A beloved grandfather, father, husband, brother, friend and respected colleague. He will be dearly missed and always cherished.”
Former prime minister John Howard led tributes to “a dear friend” and “a great warrior for the Liberal cause”.
“Today I have lost a dear friend in Peter Reith,” Howard said in a statement.
“He played a major role in the successful reforms of the Howard government. Amongst many things, he was responsible for the long overdue reform of the Australian waterfront. However contested the outcome of the 1998 Waterfront Dispute may have been, it was undeniable that world ranking productivity replaced ruinous behaviour which severely damaged some of the most productive businesses in Australia.
“As minister for workplace relations, Peter Reith drove this reform, with the crucial assistance of Chris Corrigan of Patrick Stevedores.”
Howard said Reith believed in “free enterprise, market-based solutions, and an industrial relations system that allowed energetic businesses and workers alike to prosper”.
“The Liberal Party has lost a tireless champion of what it believes in.
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“I extend my deepest sympathy to his wife Kerrie and his four sons, and their families.”
Reith was elected to the seat of Flinders in 1982, were he served as a Member of the House of Representatives for more than 17 years.
Reith served under Liberal leaders Malcolm Fraser, Andrew Peacock, John Hewson, Alexander Downer and John Howard.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton earlier confirmed the news in a statement.
“He was loyal to each leader as he was to his party, whether in government or opposition,” Dutton said.
“His analytical and sharp policy mind was reflected in the positions he held as a shadow minister, from industrial relations and education, to foreign affairs and defence, to education and sport, and more besides.
“Peter was a powerful and effective manager of opposition business.”
Reith worked under the Howard government where he had ministerial responsibilities for industrial and workplace relations, small business, and defence.
He was a consultative cabinet minister and confidant of Howard.
He is survived by his wife Kerrie and four sons Paul, Simon, David and Robert.
