24 Facts About Frank Crean

Francis Daniel Crean was an Australian politician who served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1951 to 1977, representing the Labor Party.

Frank Crean was a minister in the Whitlam government, including as Treasurer from 1972 to 1974 and the fifth deputy prime minister for a few months in 1975.

Frank Crean attended Melbourne High School and the University of Melbourne, and subsequently worked as a tax accountant.

Frank Crean was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1945.

Frank Crean lost his seat in 1947 and reclaimed it in 1949, but quit state politics two years later to stand at the 1951 federal election.

Frank Crean spent the first 21 years of his career in federal politics in opposition, albeit as a frontbencher for most of that time.

Frank Crean became Treasurer after the 1972 election, but economic uncertainty and factional considerations meant he was replaced by Jim Cairns after two years.

Frank Crean held that position until the government's dismissal in 1975, and for its final six months was deputy prime minister, replacing Cairns when he became embroiled in the Khemlani affair.

Frank Crean's son, Simon Crean, was a Member of Parliament from 1990 to 2013.

Frank Crean was born in Hamilton, Victoria, where his father was a bicycle-maker.

Frank Crean was known as Francis in his early life, but later changed his name to the less Irish Catholic-sounding Frank.

Frank Crean graduated from the University of Melbourne with degrees in arts and commerce and a diploma in public administration, and became an accountant and tax consultant.

In 1946, Frank Crean married Mary Findlay, with whom he had three sons.

Frank Crean's remains were found more than two years later.

Frank Crean's second son, Simon Crean, was the federal Labor leader from 2001 to 2003, and was a cabinet member of the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments.

In 1945 Frank Crean was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly, but was defeated in 1947.

Frank Crean quit state politics in 1951, to stand for the safe Labor seat of Melbourne Ports in the House of Representatives.

When Whitlam finally led Labor to office at the 1972 election, Frank Crean became Treasurer, although Whitlam had no real confidence in him.

Frank Crean's tenure coincided with the onset of high inflation and rising unemployment.

Frank Crean did not trust the orthodox economic advice he was getting from the Treasury, but he lacked the authority to challenge it.

In July 1975 Whitlam sacked Cairns over his involvement in the Loans Affair, and Frank Crean was elected party Deputy Leader and Deputy Prime Minister in his place, defeating Kim Beazley Sr.

Frank Crean held this position until the dismissal of the Whitlam government in November 1975.

From 1978 to 2004, Frank Crean was chairman of the New Hope Migrant and Refugee Centre.

Frank Crean died following a short illness on 2 December 2008, the 36th anniversary of the election of the Whitlam government in 1972.