Fahey left an Olympic stamp on politics

A lament among some commentators is a claimed lack of decency in contemporary politics. If that is the case then John Fahey, a former NSW Liberal premier and federal finance minister, who died in the early hours of Saturday, aged 75, was an exception.

It reflects his standing in Australian public life that his passing was met by both sides of politics lauding Fahey’s decency and humanity, while also acknowledging his shrewdness and the breadth of his interests.

Fahey was “an optimist, who believed in Australia”, said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and a “very authentic, humble guy who was a terrific leader”, according to Nick Greiner, who preceded him as NSW Liberal premier.

“He was a formidable opponent for me but I always found him to be very decent,” said former NSW Labor premier and later federal senator and foreign minister Bob Carr, who was Fahey’s successor.

Common themes that emerge from these testimonials are Fahey’s direct dealings with political allies and opponents alike, plus senior officials in the NSW and federal bureaucracy, business figures and his considerate manner when meeting people at random. “He was notoriously slow at working a room, but that reflected the deep connections John formed with so many he met. John Fahey gave everyone his undivided attention,” Morrison said.

Fahey’s stint as NSW Liberal premier was relatively short – from 1992-5 – but it was a time of tumultuous change.

He presided over NSW’s successful bid to host the Sydney 2000 OIympic Games, and ran a minority government, depending on the support of three at-times unpredictable independent MPs. His five subsequent years in federal politics were cut short by a messy pre-selection tussle and ill-health, but, as in NSW, he made his mark.

Well-built, a former rugby league player, a big smoker for much his life and a strong drinker, Fahey presented as a man’s man, but his voice was often subdued, almost soft, his manner was courteous and low-key, and there was never any tendency towards affectation or artifice.

John Fahey was born in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1945, the son of Stephen Fahey, who worked on the land, and Annie Fahey, who hailed from Galway in Ireland. When Fahey was 11, the family moved to Picton, just beyond the outskirts of western Sydney. He went to school at the famous Catholic Chevalier College at Bowral and then studied law at Sydney University.