Tributes flood in for icon Fischer
FORMER deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Tim Fischer is being remembered as an “Australian original” and “one of the finest” after his death at the age of 73.
Mr Fischer died at the Albury-Wodonga Cancer Centre overnight yesterday, surrounded by close family members. He had been fighting acute leukaemia for the past 10 months, and cancer generally for the past 10 years.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison described avid train enthusiast Mr Fischer as a dear friend who would be sorely missed. “Tim Fischer was a big Australian in every sense of the word,” Mr Morrison said.
“Big in stature, big in his belief, big in his passion, big in his vision for what Australians could achieve, and big in his view of Australia’s place in the world.
“As a result, Tim Fischer will forever cast a big shadow on our nation.”
Mr Fischer, a former soldier who first became an MP at the age of 24, was Nationals leader from 1990 to 1999.
He was deputy prime minister in John Howard’s government from 1996 to 1999. Mr Fischer supported Mr Howard in staring down angry rural constituents during the introduction of Australia’s tough gun laws following the Port Arthur massacre.
The Prime Minister has offered Mr Fischer’s family a state funeral.
“Jenny and my thoughts and those of our entire nation are with Tim’s wife Judy, their sons Harrison and Dominic and his extended family and many friends,” Mr Morrison said.
“Thank you Tim, we loved you very much.”
Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said Australia had lost one of its finest.
“Tim was a giant of the National Party. He embodied loyalty, kindness and courage. Regional Australia had no better
TIM FISCHER WAS A BIG AUSTRALIAN IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. BIG IN STATURE, BIG IN HIS BELIEF, BIG IN HIS PASSION PRIME MINISTER SCOTT MORRISON
friend,” Mr McCormack said.
Joe Hockey, Australia’s ambassador to the United States, paid tribute to his legacy.
“Any Australian that is grateful for our gun laws can thank Tim Fischer for his courage at that time. Generations to come will owe him a great debt. We will miss you mate,” Mr Hockey tweeted.
Former prime minister Kevin Rudd was responsible for appointing Mr Fischer as Australia’s “first and best” ambassador to the Vatican.
“I will never forget him in his beloved Akubra with me in audience with the Pope. A good Australian,” Mr Rudd said.