Peter Morris OAM remembered

INDUSTRY figures have recalled the contribution of former federal transport minister Peter Morris OAM who died on Sunday at the age of 93.

Born in Sydney in 1932, Peter Morris entered federal parliament in 1972 and held the seat of Shortland in the House of Representatives until 1998.

In the government of Bob Hawke, he held senior ministerial portfolios including transport, aviation, resources, transport and communications and industrial relations.

He also served as chair of the International Commission on Shipping and president of the Newcastle Maritime Museum.
Maritime Union of Australia national secretary Paddy Crumlin remembered Peter Morris as “decent, a good person, tireless, energetic with a great sense of humour who will be greatly missed”.

Mr Crumlin remembered Peter Morris for his role with the so-called Ships of Shame report from 1992 that highlighted unsafe working conditions.

“The fact he was a decent person, he had great experience, he came from Newcastle and understood how critical the shipping industry was to that community,” he said.

“So, he came with the toolbox 'fit and ready' for the job and then delivered for it.

Peter Morris was passionate about Australian transport. Image: Newcastle Airport

“His legacy is that Australia has now ‘turned the corner’ in recognising the importance of shipping to our supply chain.”

In an article published in 2023, Paul MacGillivary from Human Rights at Sea recalled meeting Peter Morris in November 1997 at the Shipsafe maritime safety seminar in Sydney and later at a parliamentary committee.

“A small number of people in every generation are forerunners—in thought, action, spirit—who swerve past the barriers of greed and power to hold a torch high for the rest of us,” Mr MacGillivary wrote.

“Peter Morris [was] one of those.”

Shipping Australia extended "sincere condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Peter Morris OAM on his passing" noting "Peter’s Ships of Shame report was a turning point for maritime safety and seafarer welfare".

"Peter Morris was a courageous and principled advocate whose work fundamentally changed our industry for the better," said SAL chief executive Melwyn Noronha.

"His legacy lives on in the higher standards, greater accountability and stronger protections now embedded in global shipping.

"Peter will be remembered with deep respect and gratitude across the maritime community."

Speaking to the media today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Peter Morris was “one of the reasons we look back on the Hawke Government with such fondness and such admiration”.

“As the Member for Shortland and as a Minister, Peter’s work was always shaped by Labor values and his deeply humane instincts,” Mr Albanese said.

“When I was transport minister, Peter was a source of sound and constructive advice on shipping, aviation, regulatory reform and regional economic development.”