It is very sad to learn that Ron Boswell, an icon of the Coalition, and giant of the National Party and Queensland politics, has passed away.
Ron was a tireless advocate for rural and regional Australia. He lived and breathed the values of the bush, shaped by a lifetime of connection to the land and to the people who depend on it.
He brought a sharp mind, a strong voice and an unshakeable belief that Australians outside the big cities deserved to be heard, respected and backed by their government.
Ron Boswell was a great Australian. He was a cattleman who understood the challenges facing rural and regional communities because he had lived them. That lived experience defined his politics and guided his work in the Parliament.
I had the privilege of serving alongside Ron, and I saw firsthand his deep commitment to the bush and to the farmers, families and small businesses he represented. He was never interested in politics for its own sake. He was focused on outcomes, particularly for regional Queensland and for the industries that underpin our national prosperity.
Ron never forgot the little person. He fought for small business owners and always spoke up for our licensed post offices, news agencies and pharmacies.
Ron was known for his blunt honesty, his policy depth and his willingness to take on anyone if he believed regional Australia was being taken for granted. He played a significant role in shaping national debates on agriculture, forestry, resources and energy, always grounded in practical experience and common sense.
He championed the cattle and forestry industries, stood up for farmers and advocated strongly for northern development. He never wavered in his commitment to the communities he represented.
Ron was a straight talker who brought real world experience to Canberra. He stood up to, and stood in the way of, fringe politicians peddling fringe politics.
He will also be remembered for a phrase synonymous with him, a catchcry he proudly plastered across billboards across Queensland: not pretty, but pretty effective. It captured both his style and his substance.
On behalf of the Liberal Party, I extend my deepest condolences to Ron’s family, friends, the National Party and the many Queenslanders who knew and respected him. He will be greatly missed.