Peter Reith, Former Cabinet Minister, dies at 72

Peter Reith was a Former cabinet minister. He passed away after a long illness.

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A former cabinet minister Peter Reith passed away at age 72.

Peter Reith, a former Howard administration minister, died at the age of 72 after a long battle with illness. After a “brave struggle” with Alzheimer’s illness, he died peacefully on Tuesday afternoon.

He was hospitalized in 2017 after what was thought to be a stroke when he was running for Victorian Liberal Party president.

Reith will be most known for his prominence in the Howard administration, when he had ministerial duties for defense, small businesses, and labor and employment relations.

His family said in a tweet on Tuesday evening,

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm that following a brave battle with Alzheimer’s disease Peter Reith died peacefully on the afternoon of 8 November 2022.

From 1982 to 1983 and again from 1984 to 2001, the Liberal MP from Victoria sat in the House of Representatives. From 1990 until 1993, he was the Liberal Party’s deputy leader, and he served as a minister in the Howard administration, with responsibilities including industrial relations, small business, employment and workplace relations, and ultimately defense.

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The Howard administration claimed that asylum seekers tossed children overboard but did not update the record after being informed that there was no evidence to support the accusations. Mr. Reith worked as a corporate director and political pundit after leaving parliament.

Personal Life

Peter Reith married his wife Kerrie and had four sons  David, Simon, Paul, and Robert.

Early Life

Peter Reith was 72 years old at the time of his passing. He holds an Australian Citizen and he belongs to the white race.

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