The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Passing of Pro Hart

The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, and the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, extended the sympathy of all Australians on the passing of Pro Hart.

Senator Coonan and Senator Kemp will tomorrow move a joint motion in the Senate recognising how Pro Hart used his well documented ‘larrikin’ persona and iconic art to document how Australians see themselves and their history through rural and outback images and subjects.

“Pro Hart made a significant contribution to Australia and Australia’s cultural identity through many artistic mediums including painting and sculpture over more than 40 years,” Senator Coonan said.

“Pro Hart was one of the most popular artists in Australia. His art had the unique capacity to relate to a vast number of Australians,” Senator Kemp said.

The motion also extends the sympathy of the Senate to Pro Hart’s wife Raylee, his children John, Kym, Marie, Julie and David and to his extended family.