When was alfred deakin elected pm

Deakin was a lawyer who had another string to his bow — journalism. He wrote anonymous newspaper articles about federal politics for many years — even while prime minister.

His government introduced tariff protection and old age pensions. William first worked as a clerk, before moving to Melbourne in during the Victorian gold rush. He graduated in and was admitted as a barrister in Deakin found little work and became a journalist with The Age newspaper. Throughout his later career in federal parliament he wrote regularly and anonymously for the London newspaper, Morning Post , commenting on Australian politics.

He resigned his seat soon after he delivered his maiden speech, following a press allegation that eligible voters had been excluded from voting. Deakin unsuccessfully contested West Bourke at the subsequent by-election, but won it again in July He held the seat until , when he won Essendon, which he held until resigning in to enter federal politics.

He held three portfolios while a member of Victorian parliament — Solicitor-General and Minister for Public Works from to , and Chief Secretary from to Deakin attended the colonial conference in London in with the Victorian delegation, and impressed the United Kingdom statesmen with his comments on difficulties faced by self-governing colonies in dealing with the Imperial government.

He attended the first Federal Convention in Sydney on March as a delegate for Victoria and was a member of the constitution committee. When the draft Constitution Bill lapsed, Deakin refused further ministerial positions.

National Museum of Australia. Deakin attended the second Federal Convention in March as the third-placed popularly elected delegate for Victoria. He participated actively in convention debates but performed his main role beyond the conference hall, talking round anti-federationist delegates to appreciate the need for federal government.

The Immigration Restriction Act of , which formed the basis of the White Australia Policy and restricted non-white immigration until its effective abolition in , is mentioned but draws little critical analysis. A parliamentary speech by Deakin on the subject of Japanese immigration read by actor Ron Haddrick is compelling.

Partner Pattie Deakin. Party Commonwealth Liberal. Milestones Commerce Act The Commerce Trade Descriptions Act passed on 8 December provides the Commonwealth with power to enforce the descriptive labelling of goods and packaging being imported into the country or exported.

Fisheries Director appointed Harald Dannevig, a fisheries scientist from Norway, is appointed as the first Commonwealth Director of Fisheries on 15 May Invalid and Old Age Pensions Act On 10 June the Invalid and Old Age Pensions Act is passed to provide for a national system of old age pensions, subject to a means test based on income and property.

Herbert Robinson Brookes and Alfred Deakin on horseback, I was as a generally useful citizen able to do a good deal with and through others Display as: List Grid. Article 19 Sep Audio 18 Sep Event 12 Sep Article 19 Jun Article 28 Feb Article 2 Dec Forgot password?

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