Tributes flow for former Hawke government minister Peter Morris

While former Hawke government minister Peter Morris passed away, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he made the Hunter region and Australia a better place.

Mr Morris, who served as Member for Shortland for more than twenty years, died peacefully with his family by his side on Sunday, aged 93.

He was elected to the House of Representatives when the ALP, led by Gough Whitlam, came to power in 1972.

“Peter Morris was one of the reasons why we look back on the Hawke Government with so much affection and admiration,” Mr Albanese said.

“Peter’s work as the Member for Shortland and Minister has always been informed by Labor values ​​and his deep humanitarian instincts.

“When I became Transport Minister, Peter was a source of sound and constructive advice on maritime, aviation, regulatory reform and regional economic development.”

Mr Albanese said Mr Morris gave “heart” to the Labor movement and “helped make Hunter and Australia better”.

Mr Morris served as Transport Minister under Bob Hawke and at various points held the Resources, Aged Care and Industrial Relations portfolios.

In 1992 he presented the Ships of Shame report, which exposed dangerous practices and exploitation of seafarers in the shipping industry.

He did not run again in the 1998 elections.

In post-politics, he served as chairman of the International Maritime Commission and chairman of the Newcastle Maritime Museum.