John Elliott was a forthright man who said what he meant and meant what he said.
He lived a big life. It was an authentic Australian life.
John Elliott seemed to embody much of the ambitious outward looking 1980s. He was a proud Victorian, he took Fosters to the world, led his football Club with a passion that won’t ever be forgotten, and loyally supported the Liberal Party through what were lean times.
Big lives always have their critics, make their fair share of mistakes, but mostly, there is something about them that capture their times. Such people are leaders. John Elliott was such a leader.
On behalf of the Liberal Party, I extend my condolences to John’s family in their time of grief.
Scott Morrison
Prime Minister, Minister for the Public Service, Member for Cook