18 June 2014

AUSTRALIA’s resource industry employer group AREEA notes the passing of Mr Ray Evans yesterday.

Known as a man of great intellect, Ray had an unrelenting passion and drive for labour market reform that would maximise employment opportunities and living standards for all Australians.

As former Prime Minister John Howard noted in his publication Lazarus Rising, Ray was forthright and passionate about his views for meaningful, substantial workplace relations reform.

From involvement with the Australian Labor Party during his university years to later jointly founding conservative think-tank HR Nicholls Society in 1986 (with Peter Costello and others), Ray had a significant and positive influence on industrial relations debate in our country, particularly on the merits of decentralised regulation and removal of unnecessary rigidities.

His career as an engineer and businessman saw him hold the position of Executive Officer with diversified Australian resource employer Western Mining Corporation (WMC) for almost two decades from 1982-2001.

Through WMC, a long-standing and major AREEA member, we had the privilege of Ray’s support and astute advice for many years. He was known to many involved in the resource industry and industrial relations as a great friend and mentor.

Our thoughts are with his wife Jill and family.

Steve Knott
AREEA Chief Executive

For a PDF of this release including relevant media contact, click here.