boxing day 2012: British professor Gavin Mooney and his wife found bludgeoned to death at their home in Tazmania

Saturday, December 22, 2012

British professor Gavin Mooney and his wife found bludgeoned to death at their home in Tazmania

Professor Gavin Mooney and partner Dr Delys Weston found dead

Dr Weston's son arrested in connection according to local reports

Mr Mooney born in Glasgow and moved to Australia in 1993

Described as 'inspiring' and a 'fearless advocate for social justice'

By Richard Sears

PUBLISHED: 03:27 EST, 22 December 2012 | UPDATED: 03:31 EST, 22 December 2012

A retired British economist and his wife are thought to have been bludgeoned to death at their home in Tazmania.

Professor Gavin Mooney, 69, and Dr Delys Weston, 62, were found at the property in Tasmania on Wednesday.

Professor Mooney was previously the director of the Social and Public Health Economics Research Group in Australia and held a number of senior positions at universities in the country.

Dr Del Weston

Bludgeoned: Scottish scientist Professor Gavin Mooney, 69, and his partner Dr Delys Weston, 62, were found dead in their home in Tasmania

He was born in Glasgow in 1943 and graduated from the University of Edinburgh before embarking on a career that saw him hold academic positions in the UK, Denmark and Australia. He moved to Australia permanently in 1993.

Australian health minister Tanya Plibersek said the deaths were a 'tragic loss for the health community, both in Australia and internationally'.

She said: 'Professor Mooney was a fearless advocate for social justice, and in particular the role of citizen juries, leading debates on the importance of consumers in determining how their health resources are allocated.

'Described as 'one of the founding fathers of health economics', his research was driven by real world challenges and geared towards identifying practical solutions.

'He was an inspiring teacher and supervisor, which when coupled with his extensive publication record, will ensure his legacy persists.'

Australian media reports said Dr Weston's son had been arrested in connection with the deaths and is expected to appear in court in the new year.

Scene: The family's Tasmania home where Professor Gavin Mooney and partner Dr Del Weston were found. According to local media reports Dr Weston's son has been arrested in connection with the deaths