Bill Power (Australian politician)
William Joseph Power (3 January 1893 – 29 May 1974) was a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly and an Alderman in the Brisbane City Council.[1]
William Power | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Baroona | |
| In office 11 May 1935 – 28 May 1960 | |
| Preceded by | New seat |
| Succeeded by | Pat Hanlon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Joseph Power 3 January 1893 Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 29 May 1974 (aged 81) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Queensland Labor Party |
| Other political affiliations | Labor |
| Spouse | Alice Gertrude Cain (m.1918 d.1977) |
| Occupation | Tramwayman, Trade union official |
Early years
editPower was born in Brisbane, Queensland to Richard and Margaret Power (née Young) in 1893.[1] He did his schooling in Petrie Terrace and worked as a tramwayman. Power became a leading trade union official before deciding to enter state politics.[1]
State political career
editRepresenting the Labor Party, Power won the new seat of Baroona in Labor's landslide win in the Queensland state election of 1935,[2] convincingly defeating J.E. Streeter of the Douglas Credit Party.[3] When campaigning, he used the slogan "Power for the People".[1]
He served as Secretary for Public Works, Housing and Local Government from 1947 to 1950, Secretary for Mines and Immigration from 1950 till 1952, and Attorney-General from 1952 till Labor's defeat from government in 1957. Power sided with Premier Vince Gair after Gair had been expelled by the ALP executive in 1957 and standing for the Queensland Labor Party, he held his seat. He did not seek re-election in 1960 and retired from politics.[1]
Personal life
editPower married Alice Gertrude Cain (died 1977) in 1918 and together they had four sons. He was an avid rugby league supporter, and also interested in Game fowl and dogs. He died in 1974.[1]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f "Former Members". Parliament of Queensland. 2015. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ "Overwhelming Government Victories in Two States". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 13 May 1935. p. 11. Retrieved 28 February 2015.
- ^ "QUEENSLAND ELECTIONS". The Courier-Mail. Brisbane: National Library of Australia. 13 May 1935. p. 15. Retrieved 28 February 2015.