MichaelTate — an academic, politician, diplomat and Catholic priest — has been remembered as a generous man whose life was one of "warmth and service to others" ... .
With the passing of FatherMichaelTate AO, we grieve for an outstanding Australian whose life was defined by conviction, faith and service ... As Father Michael Tate, he became a trusted spiritual guide to many Tasmanians.
MichaelTate was a senator for Tasmania for 16 years, and a minister in the Hawke and Keating governments. He described his move to the Catholic priesthood as an early vocation long deferred ... .