How Rove Live interview derailed Simon Crean’s Labor leadership [Video]

Was this the moment that ended Simon Crean’s political career? How the late Labor leader suffered a humiliating blow after performing an awful John Howard impression on Rove Live 

03:53 EDT 26 Jun 2023 , updated 05:57 EDT 26 Jun 2023

A TV interview the late Simon Crean did with comedian Rove McManus demonstrates why he was the only Labor leader in more than 100 years never to front an election campaign.

Crean, a minister in the Hawke, Keating, Rudd and Gillard governments, died on Sunday during a hiking trip in Europe aged 74. He is believed to have suddenly suffered a heart attack. 

Crean has been fondly remembered by politicians on all sides of the aisle and for his principled stand against the US’s invasion of Iraq in 2003. 

However, one TV moment sums up his unsuccessful stint as Opposition Leader, which saw him turfed out by his party without facing voters. 

In 2003, he turned up for a friendly chat …