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krazykitkatOne of Western Australia's longest-serving federal parliamentarians, Peter Cook, has died of cancer at the age of 62.
Peter Cook served as a senator from 1983 until his retirement in June this year.
He held various portfolios under prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, including industry, science and technology, trade and industrial relations.
Before joining the Parliament, Mr Cook was a trade union official for 17 years.
He was diagnosed with melanoma cancer in July last year.
The Federal Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, says Mr Cook made a great contribution to Western Australian and federal politics and will be sorely missed.
"He was influential in trade policy and industrial relations policy, and his passing weakens us," he said.
"We are sad to see him go. l will miss his wise counsel."
Labor's industrial relations spokesman, Stephen Smith, says Mr Cook was respected as a dedicated and tough politician who had great integrity.
"He wasn't just in the game for the game of politics, he was in the game of politics to advance the national good and advance the interests of working Australians," Mr Smith said.
"He will be missed by everyone in the Labor Party and the Labor movement who knew him."
Mr Smith also says Mr Cook was "selfless" in his last months.
"He tried very much to make the point that for very many cancer sufferers there's much more that we can do," Mr Smith said.
"So even towards the very end he was selfless in his devotion to public life and the public interest."
Prime Minister John Howard says Mr Cook had a varied and accomplished career.
"For the time that he was minister for industrial relations I was his opposite number," he said.
"He held tenaciously to his beliefs on issues within this portfolio.
"I respected him both for this and the strength of advocacy of his position."
Mr Howard says Mr Cook's widow, Barbara, has accepted the offer of a state funeral.
Mr Cook is also survived by four children.
Peter Cook served as a senator from 1983 until his retirement in June this year.
He held various portfolios under prime ministers Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, including industry, science and technology, trade and industrial relations.
Before joining the Parliament, Mr Cook was a trade union official for 17 years.
He was diagnosed with melanoma cancer in July last year.
The Federal Opposition Leader, Kim Beazley, says Mr Cook made a great contribution to Western Australian and federal politics and will be sorely missed.
"He was influential in trade policy and industrial relations policy, and his passing weakens us," he said.
"We are sad to see him go. l will miss his wise counsel."
Labor's industrial relations spokesman, Stephen Smith, says Mr Cook was respected as a dedicated and tough politician who had great integrity.
"He wasn't just in the game for the game of politics, he was in the game of politics to advance the national good and advance the interests of working Australians," Mr Smith said.
"He will be missed by everyone in the Labor Party and the Labor movement who knew him."
Mr Smith also says Mr Cook was "selfless" in his last months.
"He tried very much to make the point that for very many cancer sufferers there's much more that we can do," Mr Smith said.
"So even towards the very end he was selfless in his devotion to public life and the public interest."
Prime Minister John Howard says Mr Cook had a varied and accomplished career.
"For the time that he was minister for industrial relations I was his opposite number," he said.
"He held tenaciously to his beliefs on issues within this portfolio.
"I respected him both for this and the strength of advocacy of his position."
Mr Howard says Mr Cook's widow, Barbara, has accepted the offer of a state funeral.
Mr Cook is also survived by four children.
