Comments attributable to NFF President, Fiona Simson
On behalf of the farming community, I pass our condolences to the Kerin family as we mourn the loss of one of our sector's most respected figures.
Few people have had such a lasting and profound impact on Australian agriculture.
As the country's longest-serving Minister for Primary Industries, John oversaw an historic period of reform and modernisation for our sector. As farmers, we owe so much of our success and prosperity today to John's tough choices and economic foresight. This was particularly evident in his response to the wool market collapse in the late 1980s.
Beyond politics, John made an enormous contribution to agriculture - as a member of numerous boards, and as a trusted source of advice to his many friends in the sector. Personally, I very much appreciated his wise words of advice and support on a number of issues.
Today I join with farmers across Australia as we honour John's extraordinary life and contribution to our sector. May he rest in peace.
