A MAN of significant conviction who expanded trade with Japan and China is how the late Doug Anthony has been remembered.
The former deputy prime minister and National Party/Country Party leader died over the weekend at the age of 90.
In a statement, current deputy prime minister Michael McCormack said Mr Anthony was “a man of significant conviction and even more significant achievement”.
“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,” he said.
Mr McCormack said Mr Anthony understood the enormous benefits trade could bring and had “a major role” in policies and negotiations leading to the development of Australia’s resource industries.
“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,” the deputy PM said.
Agriculture minister David Littleproud said Mr Anthony served his electorate of Richmond in Northern New South Wales as well as their nation with distinction.
“During his tenure both as minister and deputy prime minister, Doug shaped and influenced the national policy agenda and delivered major wins for Australian farmers, our resources industry and for Australian exports,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Our nation has been made richer because of the work he did.”
