Fed: Tributes flow for Charles Court, architect of modern WA

AAP General News (Australia)
12-23-2007
Fed: Tributes flow for Charles Court, architect of modern WA

By David Crawshaw and Andrea Hayward

CANBERRA, Dec 23 AAP - Former West Australian premier Sir Charles Court has been hailed
as one of the most influential figures in his state's history following his death at the
age of 96.

Sir Charles, who served as premier of WA from 1974 to 1982, passed away peacefully
at home last night with his family by his side.

The Court family has accepted the offer of a state funeral.

Political luminaries today praised Sir Charles as one of the architects of Western
Australia's record period of prosperity.

WA Premier Alan Carpenter said Sir Charles would be remembered as a giant of political
life in Western Australia - a state he helped transform, overseeing investment in the
now-booming resources industry.

"No single person in public life has had as much influence in the development of Western
Australia in the last 50 or 60 years," Mr Carpenter said.

Sir Charles oversaw the development of WA's iron ore industry in the 1960s, bauxite
and mineral sands mining in the southwest, as well as nickel and smelting during his time
as industrial development minister under premier Sir David Brand in the 1960s.

"He carried on that work as premier when he played a key role in the birth of the North
West Shelf natural gas industry," Mr Carpenter said.

"These developments completely transformed the West Australian and Australian economies."

Federal Opposition Leader Brendan Nelson said he was saddened at the news of Sir Charles' death.

"He was a patriarch, not only of a proud family, but also of the Liberal Party and
the modern Western Australia," Dr Nelson said in a statement.

"His eight years as premier will be remembered for his staunch defence of states' rights
and also for his support for the Australian flag and Australian monarchy."

Governor-General Michael Jeffery, a former Special Air Service commander, paid special
tribute to Sir Charles' military career during World War II.

"Amongst his many achievements, Sir Charles had a distinguished military career during
World War II," Maj-Gen Jeffery said.

"Later he was appointed Honorary Colonel of the University of Western Australia Regiment
and Honorary Colonel of the Special Air Service Regiment."

Sir Charles believed the development of industries and population bases in northern
Australia was essential for Australia's long-term economic stability and defence, Maj-Gen
Jeffery said.

"A testament to his vision is the major contribution that Western Australia now makes
to the Australian economy."

The governor-general said Sir Charles was a loving husband and father, a genuine statesman,
passionately concerned with creating a better and safer future for the citizens of Western
Australia and the country.

WA Liberal leader Paul Omodei said it would be a long time before the state saw another
statesman of Sir Charles' calibre.

"He had an amazing physical stature and strength of mind," he said.

"He had a real presence."

Sir Charles is survived by his wife, Judy, and five sons including Richard Court, who
served as WA premier from 1993 to 2001.

AAP dcr/jfm/mn

KEYWORD: COURT LEAD

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