SYDNEY: Sir Charles Court, the former Western Australian premier credited with developing his state’s iron ore industry, now crucial to the nation’s resources boom, has died, reports said Sunday.
Sir Charles, who was 96, passed away overnight, the local media reported. Tributes poured in Sunday for the conservative politician who opened up the mining industry in vast Western Australia state while premier from 1974 to 1982.
"No single person in public life has had as much influence in the development of Western Australia in the last 50 or 60 years," current state Premier Alan Carpenter said.
Sir Charles oversaw development of the iron ore industry and the opening up of bauxite and mineral sands mining in the southwest, as well as nickel mining and smelting, while state industrial development minister in the 1960s.
"He carried on that work as premier when he played a key role in the birth of the North West Shelf natural gas industry," Carpenter said.
"These developments completely transformed the West Australian and Australian economies."
Sir Charles, who died at home with his family by his side, emigrated to Australia from England as an infant and served in the Australian army during WWII. He entered politics in 1953.
"Sir Charles served his country in wartime, served his state as member of parliament, minister, premier and leader of the Liberal Party and did it all with integrity and distinction," Carpenter said.
"His has been one of the greatest West Australian lives."
Court is survived by his wife Judy and five sons, including Richard who was state premier from 1993 to 2001.