Scott Morrison, John Howard and Barnaby Joyce were among the political heavyweights to attend Doug Anthony s memorial service on Thursday where dozens paid tribute to the compassionate and courageous politician.
Australia s longest serving deputy prime minister died aged 90 in a care home in Murwillumbah, far north New South Wales on December 20.
Mr Anthony was leader of the Country Party/National Party for 12 years and deputy prime minister for nearly 10, influencing coalition policies for much of the 1970s and 1980s.
He served under six prime ministers, starting with Sir Robert Menzies.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (left) arrives with former Australian Prime Minister John Howard to a State Memorial for former deputy prime minister Doug Anthony
News by Kathleen Skene
Premium Content PRIME Minister Scott Morrison is expected among the mourners gathering at a state funeral for Australia s longest serving deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Doug Anthony this morning. Mr Anthony was leader of the Country Party/National Party for 13 years and deputy prime minister for nine, serving under six prime ministers and influencing Coalition policies for much of the 1970s and 1980s. His funeral is scheduled for 10am Queensland time at Twin Towns in Tweed Heads. Follow our updates below.
Anthony very much a man of the Tweed region Mr Anthony s family said he died peacefully in the Heritage Lodge aged-care home in Murwillumbah.
Former deputy prime minister and Nationals leader Doug Anthony has died at the age of 90. Mr Anthony was leader of the Country Party/National Party for 12 years and deputy prime minister for nine, influencing Coalition policies for much of the 1970s and 1980s. In a statement, Mr Anthony s family said he died peacefully in the Heritage Lodge aged-care home in Murwillumbah, northeast NSW. Although Doug was privileged to serve the people of Australia in high office, he always considered his family to be his greatest legacy and contribution to the world, the family statement said. He was very much a man of the Tweed region, and it is fitting that he should depart this life from within the community that he loved so much.
Australia s longest serving deputy prime minister Doug Anthony has died, aged 90.
His family confirmed the former Nationals leader died peacefully in the Heritage Lodge aged-care home in Murwillumbah in far northern NSW on Sunday morning.
Mr Anthony was leader of the Country Party/National Party for 12 years and deputy prime minister for nearly 10, influencing coalition policies for much of the 1970s and 1980s.
He served under six prime ministers, starting with Sir Robert Menzies.
Former deputy prime minister and Nationals leaderDoug Anthony (pictured in 1999 with wife Margot) died on Sunday, aged 90
Prime Minister Scott Morrison hailed Mr Anthony as a man with no pretences who was passionate about regional Australia .