31 October 2012
PDF version [260KB]
Martin Lumb
Politics and Public Administration Section
Contents
Introduction
Political families
Abbreviations
Introduction
Since Federation there have been a number of political families in the Commonwealth Parliament. The first parliament included eight sons of state parliamentarians, and seven members who had brothers in state parliaments. In 2012 at least fifteen members of the Parliament have, or have had, a relative or spouse in federal or state parliament.
On 30 occasions since 1901 a son has succeeded his father into parliament and on two occasions a daughter has succeeded her father. Of these, 14 were Labor Party families, 17 non-Labor. In the other case there was a significant shift in party allegiance: James Guy (Senator, Tas, 1914–20; ALP) was succeeded by his son, Allan Guy. Allan was initially elected as the Labor Member for Bass, but in 1931 joined Joseph Lyons, James Fenton and two other Labor members in forming the United Australia Party. He subsequently became a Liberal Senator for Tasmania. In one unusual case, a father succeeded his son in Parliament: Francis Matthew John Baker (MHR, Oxley, 1931–34; Griffith, 1934–39; FLP) died in office, the result of a motor accident. Eighteen months later, his father Francis Patrick Baker (MHR, Maranoa, 1940–43; ALP) was elected.
In two cases, there have been three successive generations in the Commonwealth Parliament: the Anthonys: Hubert Lawrence (MHR, Richmond, 1937–57; CP), John Douglas (MHR, Richmond, 1957–84; CP, NCP, NPA) and Lawrence James (MHR, Richmond, 1996–2004; NPA, NP); and the Downers: Sir John William (Senator, SA, 1901–03; Protectionist), Alexander Russell (MHR, Angas, 1949–64; LIB) and Alexander John Gosse (MHR, Mayo, 1984–2008; LIB).
Dame Enid Lyons (MHR, Darwin, 1943–51; UAP, LIB) and Doris Blackburn (MHR, Bourke, 1946–49; IND LAB), the first two women elected to the House of Representatives, were the widows of previous members.
There have also been a number of notable families involved in both federal and state parliaments:
- Sir Robert Menzies (MHR, Kooyong, 1934–66; UAP, LIB) was the son of James Menzies (Vic MLA, Lowan, 1911–20; LIB, Nationalist)
- brothers Laurie Ferguson (MHR, Reid 1990–2010 and Werriwa 2010– ; ALP) and Martin Ferguson (MHR, Batman, 1996– ; ALP) are the sons of former Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Laurie John (Jack) Ferguson (NSW MLA, Merrylands 1959–62, 1968–84 and Fairfield 1962–68; ALP)
- Kevin Newman (MHR, Bass 1975–84; LIB) and Jocelyn Newman (Senator, Tas, 1986–2002; LIB) are the parents of Queensland State Premier Campbell Newman (Qld MLA, Ashgrove 2012– ; LNP)
- Robert Cummin Katter (MHR, Kennedy, 1966–90; CP, NCP, NPA) is the father of Bob (Robert Carl) Katter (MHR, Kennedy, 1993– ; NPA, IND, AUS) and the grandfather of Rob (Robert Ignatius) Katter (Qld MLA, Mount Isa 2012– ; AUS)
- Michaelia Cash (Senator, WA, 2008– ; LIB) is the daughter of George Cash (WA MLA, Mount Lawley 1984–89; WA MLC, North Metropolitan 1989–2009; LIB) and the granddaughter of Doug Cash (MHR, Stirling, 1958–61; WA MLA, Mirrabooka, 1968–71; LIB)
- Dan Tehan (MHR, Wannon, 2010– ; LIB) is the son of Marie Tehan (Vic MLC, Central Highlands 1987–92 and Vic MLA, Seymour 1992–99; LIB). This was the first time a mother and son were elected to Australian parliaments.
Although political families are sometimes viewed pejoratively as ‘dynasties’, perhaps as political scientist Professor John Warhurst proposes, there is ‘a political gene that not only attracts members of the same family to politics but gives them the personal attributes to succeed’.[1] In 1986 political historian Joan Rydon observed that most members of political families have been active in their parties well before their election and suggested that family background may have led to membership of those parties at an early age.[2]
The following is a list of political families in the Commonwealth Parliament since 1901. This table also indicates the 13 occasions when relatives served concurrently for at least some period of their terms in office. The table does not include members of state parliaments.[3]
|
Surname
|
First names
|
Division/State
|
Period of service
|
Party
|
Relationship
|
|
Adermann
|
Charles Frederick (later Sir Charles)
|
Maranoa and Fisher (Qld)
|
1943–72
|
CP
|
father and son
|
|
Adermann
|
Albert Evan
|
Fisher and Fairfax (Qld)
|
1972–90
|
CP; NCP; NPA
|
|
Anthony
|
Hubert Lawrence (Larry)
|
Richmond (NSW)
|
1937–57
|
CP
|
grandfather, father and son
|
|
Anthony
|
John Douglas
|
Richmond (NSW)
|
1957–84
|
CP; NCP; NPA
|
|
Anthony
|
Lawrence (Larry) James
|
Richmond (NSW)
|
1996–2004
|
NPA; NP
|
|
Baker
|
Francis Matthew John
|
Oxley (Qld) and Griffith (Qld)
|
1931–39
|
FLP
|
son and father (the only case of a father elected after the son)
|
|
Baker
|
Francis Patrick
|
Maranoa (Qld)
|
1940–43
|
ALP
|
|
Barnard
|
Herbert Claude
|
Bass (Tas.)
|
1934–49
|
FLP; ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Barnard
|
Lance Herbert
|
Bass (Tas.)
|
1954–75
|
ALP
|
|
Baume
|
Michael Ehrenfried
|
Macarthur (NSW) and Senator (NSW)
|
1975–83 and 1985–96
|
LIB
|
Cousins
(served concurrently)
|
|
Baume
|
Peter Erne
|
Senator (NSW)
|
1974–91
|
LIB
|
|
Beale
|
Oliver Howard
|
Parramatta (NSW)
|
1946–58
|
LIB
|
father and son
|
|
Beale
|
Julian Howard
|
Deakin and Bruce (Vic.)
|
1984–96
|
LIB
|
|
Beazley
|
Kim Edward
|
Fremantle (WA)
|
1945–77
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Beazley
|
Kim Christian
|
Swan and Brand (WA)
|
1980–2007
|
ALP
|
|
Blackburn
|
Maurice McCrae
|
Bourke (Vic.)
|
1934–43
|
FLP; ALP; IND LAB
|
husband and wife
|
|
Blackburn
|
Doris Amelia
|
Bourke (Vic.)
|
1946–49
|
IND LAB
|
|
Bonython
|
Sir John Langdon
|
South Australia and Barker (SA)
|
1901–06
|
PROT
|
great grandfather and great grandson
|
|
Wilson
|
Ian Bonython Cameron
|
Sturt (SA)
|
1966–69 and 1972–93
|
LIB
|
|
Brennan
|
Frank
|
Batman (Vic.)
|
1911–31 and 1934–49
|
ALP; FLP
|
Brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Brennan
|
Thomas Cornelius
|
Senator (Vic.)
|
1931–38
|
UAP
|
|
Brown
|
Robert (Bob) James
|
Hunter and Charlton (NSW)
|
1980–98
|
ALP
|
father and daughter
|
|
Hoare
|
Kelly Joy
|
Charlton (NSW)
|
1998–2007
|
ALP
|
|
Cameron
|
Clyde Robert
|
Hindmarsh (SA)
|
1949–80
|
ALP
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Cameron
|
Donald Newton
|
Senator (SA)
|
1969–78
|
ALP
|
|
Cameron
|
Cyril St Clair
|
Senator (Tas.)
|
1901–03 and 1907–13
|
PROT
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Cameron
|
Donald Norman
|
Tasmania and Wilmot (Tas.)
|
1901–03 and 1904–06
|
FT
|
|
Cameron
|
Eoin Harrap
|
Stirling (WA)
|
1993–98
|
LIB
|
cousins
|
|
Cameron
|
Martin Bruce
|
Senator (WA)
|
1969[4]
|
LIB
|
|
Cameron
|
Malcolm Duncan
|
Barker (SA)
|
1922–34
|
LIB; NAT; UAP
|
great grandfather and great grandson
|
|
Cameron
|
Eoin Harrop
|
Stirling (WA)
|
1993–98
|
LIB
|
|
Cash
|
Earl Douglas
|
Stirling (WA)
|
1958–61
|
LIB
|
grandfather and granddaughter
|
|
Cash
|
Michaelia Clare
|
Senator (WA)
|
2008–
|
LIB
|
|
Chaney
|
Frederick Charles
|
Perth (WA)
|
1955–69
|
LIB
|
father and son
|
|
Chaney
|
Frederick Michael
|
Senator (WA) and Pearce (WA)
|
1974–90 and 1990–93
|
LIB
|
|
Corser
|
Edward Bernard Cresset
|
Wide Bay (Qld)
|
1915–28
|
LIB; NAT
|
father and son
|
|
Corser
|
Bernard Henry
|
Wide Bay (Qld)
|
1928–54
|
CP
|
|
Crean
|
Frank
|
Melbourne Ports (Vic.)
|
1951–77
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Crean
|
Simon Findlay
|
Hotham (Vic.)
|
1990–
|
ALP
|
|
Downer
|
Sir John William
|
Senator (SA)
|
1901–03
|
PROT
|
grandfather, father and son
|
|
Downer
|
Alexander Russell
|
Angas (SA)
|
1949–64
|
LIB
|
|
Downer
|
Alexander John Gosse
|
Mayo (SA)
|
1984–2008
|
LIB
|
|
Ewing
|
Norman Kirkwood
|
Senator (WA)
|
1901–03
|
FT
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Ewing
|
Thomas Thomson (later Sir Thomas)
|
Richmond (NSW)
|
1901–10
|
PROT
|
|
Fairbairn
|
George
|
Fawkner (Vic.)
|
1906–13
|
IND PROT; LIB
|
George Fairbairn was uncle of James and grandfather of David
|
|
Fairbairn
|
James Valentine
|
Flinders (Vic.)
|
1933–40
|
UAP
|
|
Fairbairn
|
David Eric
|
Farrer (NSW)
|
1949–75
|
LIB
|
|
Ferguson
|
Laurie Donald
|
Reid (NSW) and Werriwa (NSW)
|
1990–
|
ALP
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Ferguson
|
Martin John
|
Batman (Vic.)
|
1996–
|
ALP
|
|
Fisher
see Vallentine
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fisken
|
Archibald Clyde Wanliss
|
Ballaarat (Vic.)
|
1934–37
|
UAP
|
grandfather and grandson
|
|
Ronaldson
|
Michael John Clyde
|
Ballarat (Vic.) and Senator (Vic.)
|
1990–2001 and 2005–
|
LIB
|
|
Fitzgibbon
|
Eric John
|
Hunter (NSW)
|
1984–96
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Fitzgibbon
|
Joel Andrew
|
Hunter (NSW)
|
1996–
|
ALP
|
|
Fraser
|
Allan Duncan
|
Eden-Monaro (NSW)
|
1943–66 and 1969–72
|
ALP
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Fraser
|
James (Jim) Reay
|
Australian Capital Territory
|
1951–70
|
ALP
|
|
Fraser
|
Simon
|
Senator (Vic.)
|
1901–13
|
PROT; ANTI-SOC
|
grandfather and grandson
|
|
Fraser
|
John Malcolm
|
Wannon (Vic.)
|
1955–83
|
LIB
|
|
Groom
|
William Henry
|
Darling Downs (Qld)
|
1901[5]
|
PROT
|
father and son
|
|
Groom
|
Littleton Ernest (later Sir Littleton)
|
Darling Downs (Qld)
|
1901–29 and 1931–36
|
PROT; LIB; NAT; IND; UAP
|
|
Gullett
|
Henry Somer (later Sir Henry)
|
Henty (Vic.)
|
1925–40
|
NAT; UAP
|
father and son
|
|
Gullett
|
Henry Baynton Somer
|
Henty (Vic.)
|
1946–55
|
LIB
|
|
Guy
|
James
|
Senator (Tas.)
|
1914–20
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Guy
|
James Allan
|
Bass and Wilmot (Tas.) and Senator (Tas.)
|
1929–34; 1940–46 and 1949–56
|
ALP; UAP; LIB
|
|
Harrison
|
Eric John
|
Wentworth (NSW)
|
1931–56
|
UAP; LIB
|
father and daughter
|
|
Walters
|
Mary Shirley
|
Senator (Tas.)
|
1975–93
|
LIB
|
|
Hoare
see Brown
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Howse
|
Sir Neville Reginald
|
Calare (NSW)
|
1922–29
|
NAT
|
father and son
|
|
Howse
|
John Brooke
|
Calare (NSW)
|
1946–60
|
LIB
|
|
James
|
Rowland
|
Hunter (NSW)
|
1928–58
|
ALP; LANG LAB
|
father and son
|
|
James
|
Albert (Bert) William
|
Hunter (NSW)
|
1960–80
|
ALP
|
|
Jenkins
|
Dr Henry (Harry) Alfred
|
Scullin (Vic.)
|
1969–85
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Jenkins
|
Henry (Harry) Alfred
|
Scullin (Vic.)
|
1986–
|
ALP
|
|
Katter
|
Robert (Bob) Cummin
|
Kennedy (Qld)
|
1966–90
|
CP; NCP; NPA
|
father and son
|
|
Katter
|
Robert (Bob) Carl
|
Kennedy (Qld)
|
1993–
|
NPA; IND; AUS
|
|
Kemp
|
David Alistair
|
Goldstein (Vic.)
|
1990–2004
|
LIB
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Kemp
|
Charles Roderick
|
Senator (Vic.)
|
1990–2008
|
LIB
|
|
Leckie
see Menzies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lyons
|
Joseph Aloysius
|
Wilmot (Tas.)
|
1929–39
|
ALP; UAP
|
husband and wife
|
|
Lyons
|
Dame Enid Muriel
|
Darwin (Tas.)
|
1943–51
|
UAP; LIB
|
|
McClelland
|
Douglas
|
Senator (NSW)
|
1962–87
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
McClelland
|
Robert Bruce
|
Barton (NSW)
|
1996–
|
ALP
|
|
McGauran
|
Peter John
|
Gippsland (Vic.)
|
1983–2008
|
NPA; NP
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
McGauran
|
Julian John James
|
Senator (Vic.)
|
1987–90 and 1993–2011
|
NPA; NP; LIB
|
|
McLeay
|
George
|
Senator (SA)
|
1935–47 and 1949–55
|
UAP; LIB
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
McLeay
|
John (later Sir John)
|
Boothby (SA)
|
1949–66
|
LIB; LCL
|
|
Menzies
|
Robert Gordon (later Sir Robert)
|
Kooyong (Vic.)
|
1934–66
|
UAP; LIB
|
Robert Menzies was nephew of Sydney Sampson and son-in-law of John Leckie
|
|
Sampson
|
Sydney
|
Wimmera (Vic.)
|
1906–19
|
IND PROT; LIB; NAT
|
|
Leckie
|
John William
|
Indi (Vic.) and Senator (Vic.)
|
1917–19 and 1935–47
|
NAT; UAP; LIB
|
|
Morris
|
Peter Frederick
|
Shortland (NSW)
|
1972–98
|
ALP
|
brothers
(served concurrently)
|
|
Morris
|
Allan Agapitos
|
Newcastle (NSW)
|
1983–2001
|
ALP
|
|
Nelson
|
Harold George
|
Northern Territory
|
1922–34
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Nelson
|
John Norman
|
Northern Territory
|
1949–66
|
ALP
|
|
Newman
|
Kevin Eugene
|
Bass (Tas.)
|
1975–84
|
LIB
|
husband and wife
|
|
Newman
|
Jocelyn Margaret
|
Senator (Tas.)
|
1986–2002
|
LIB
|
|
O’Byrne
|
Justin Hilary
|
Senator (Tas.)
|
1947–81
|
ALP
|
cousins (Michelle’s father was Justin’s first cousin)
|
|
O’Byrne
|
Michelle Anne
|
Bass (Tas.)
|
1998–2004
|
ALP
|
|
Pearce
|
George Foster (later Sir George)
|
Senator (WA)
|
1901–38
|
ALP; NAT; UAP
|
great grandfather and great granddaughter
|
|
Prentice
|
Jane
|
Ryan (Qld)
|
2010–
|
LIB
|
|
Pratten
|
Herbert Edward
|
Senator (NSW); Parramatta and Martin (NSW)
|
1917–21; 1921–28
|
NAT
|
uncle and nephew
|
|
Pratten
|
Frederick Graham
|
Martin (NSW)
|
1928–29
|
NAT
|
|
Prentice
see Pearce
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Riley
|
Edward
|
South Sydney (NSW)
|
1910–31
|
ALP
|
father and son
(served concurrently)
|
|
Riley
|
Edward Charles
|
Cook (NSW)
|
1922–34
|
ALP
|
|
Riordan
|
David
|
Kennedy (Qld)
|
1929–36
|
ALP; FLP
|
uncle and nephew
|
|
Riordan
|
Joseph Martin
|
Phillip (NSW)
|
1972–75
|
ALP
|
|
Ronaldson see Fisken
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sampson
see Menzies
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sherry
|
Raymond Henry
|
Franklin (Tas.)
|
1969–75
|
ALP
|
father and son
|
|
Sherry
|
Nicholas John
|
Senator (Tas.)
|
1990–2012
|
ALP
|
|
Spender
|
Percy Claude
|
Warringah (NSW)
|
1937–51
|
IND UAP; UAP; LIB
|
father and son
|
|
Spender
|
John Michael
|
North Sydney (NSW)
|
1980–90
|
LIB
|
|
Spooner
|
Eric Sydney
|
Robertson (NSW)
|
1940–43
|
UAP
|
brothers
|
|
Spooner
|
William Henry (later Sir William)
|
Senator (NSW)
|
1949–65
|
LIB
|
|
Street
|
Geoffrey Austin
|
Corangamite (Vic.)
|
1934–40
|
UAP
|
father and son
|
|
Street
|
Anthony Austin
|
Corangamite (Vic.)
|
1966–84
|
LIB
|
|
Vallentine
|
Josephine
|
Senator (WA)
|
1985–92
|
NDP; IND; G(WA)
|
aunt and niece
|
|
Fisher
|
Mary Josephine
|
Senator (SA)
|
2007–12
|
LIB
|
|
Vardon
|
Joseph
|
Senator (SA)
|
1907 and 1908–13
|
ANTI-SOC; LIB
|
father and son
|
|
Vardon
|
Edward Charles
|
Senator (SA)
|
1921–22
|
NAT
|
|
Walters
see Harrison
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Watkins
|
David
|
Newcastle (NSW)
|
1901–35
|
ALP; FLP
|
father and son
|
|
Watkins
|
David Oliver
|
Newcastle (NSW)
|
1935–58
|
FLP; ALP
|
|
Whitlam
|
Edward Gough
|
Werriwa (NSW)
|
1952–78
|
ALP
|
father and son
(served concurrently)
|
|
Whitlam
|
Antony Philip
|
Grayndler (NSW)
|
1975–77
|
ALP
|
|
Wilson
|
Keith Cameron (later Sir Keith)
|
Sturt (SA)
|
1949–54 and 1955–66
|
LIB; LCL
|
father and son
|
|
Wilson
see also Bonython
|
Ian Bonython Cameron
|
Sturt (SA)
|
1966–69 and 1972–93
|
LIB
|
Source: Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia, Parliamentary Library, Department of Parliamentary Services, Commonwealth of Australia [various editions]. The current edition is available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Parliamentary_Handbook
ALP: Australian Labor Party
ANTI-SOC: Anti-Socialist Party
AUS: Katter’s Australian Party
CP: Country Party
FLP: Federal Labor Party
FT: Free Trade
G(WA): Greens (Western Australia)
IND: Independent
IND LAB: Independent Labor
IND PROT: Independent Protectionist
IND UAP: Independent United Australia Party
LANG LAB: Lang Labor Party
LIB: Liberal Party of Australia
LCL: Liberal Country League
LNP: Liberal National Party
NAT: Nationalist Party
NCP: National Country Party
NDP: Nuclear Disarmament Party
NP: The Nationals
NPA: National Party of Australia
PROT: Protectionist Party
UAP: United Australia Party
[1]. J Warhurst, ‘Dangers in politics being dominated by dynasties’, The Canberra Times, 9 August 2012, p. 15.
[2]. J Rydon, A Federal Legislature: The Australian Commonwealth Parliament 1901–80, Oxford University Press, Melbourne, 1986, p. 121.
[3]. The list is believed to be complete, but information about any omissions will be gratefully received. More details on family links between state and federal members can be found at ‘Political families of Australia’, Wikipedia website, 28 October 2012, viewed 31 October 2012, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_families_of_Australia
Note: Preferred names are underlined.
[4]. Selected under section 15 of the Constitution 23 May 1969; term expired 24 October 1969.
[5]. Elected 30 March 1901; died 8 August 1901.
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