Grandson mocks Holt China spy theory

HAROLD Holt’s grandson has dismissed as “madness” suggestions he disappeared on a Chinese submarine, noting the former prime minister did not even like Chinese food.

Mr Holt went for a swim at Victoria’s Cheviot Beach 50 years ago today, December 17, 1967, and was not seen again.

It is thought he drowned but the 59-year-old’s body was not recovered. Conspiracy theories abound, including that he was a Chinese spy and was secreted away on a submarine.

Grandson Robert Holt says Cheviot Beach was too shallow for such a vessel to get in, and in any case his grandfather was not a fan of Chinese cuisine.

“Every year there are peo- ple who drown in Australian waters and we never find the body,” Robert told the Nine Network yesterday.

“If you look at the beach here and how shallow it is, the idea that a submarine could have got in here is absolute madness. My grandmother said he didn’t even like Chinese food.”

Robert hoped his grandfather, who was the political heir to Robert Menzies, would be remembered for his achievements rather than the way he vanished.

Holt oversaw the dismantling of the White Australia policy and drove the historic referendum to include Aboriginal people in the census.

“He was very progressive in his thinking,” Robert said. “So we are very keen that he is remembered for his achievements, not just the last few minutes of his passing.”

Robert and other family members attended a memorial service at Point Nepean, overlooking Cheviot Beach.

Health Minister Greg Hunt, who is the member for the local area of Flinders, and federal Speaker Tony Smith spoke at the anniversary event.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull led tributes in Canberra’s lower house earlier this month, calling Mr Holt’s disappearance one of the most “confounding” events in the country’s history. AAP