Ben Humphreys
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Benjamin Charles Humphreys AM (born 17 August 1934), Australian politician, is a former Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives representing the Division of Griffith, Queensland from 1977 to 1996.
Humphreys served a six year term as Minister for Veterans' Affairs in the ministries of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating. In December 1991, that ministry was promoted to Cabinet, and the next year Humphreys also took over the duties of Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Northern Australia from Senator Bob Collins.
After 18 years in parliament, Humphreys intended to leave politics in 1995, but delayed his retirement until 29 January 1996 when the man he considered his ideal successor was ready to stand for preselection for Griffith – Kevin Rudd, later to become leader of the ALP and Prime Minister of Australia, lost the election to Liberal candidate Graeme McDougall but later won the seat in 1998.[1]
Humphreys was known for his close contact with Australia's South Pacific neighbours, and in August 2001 he was part of a Commonwealth Observer Group sent to oversee the 2001 election in Fiji.[2]
[edit] Honours
- 26 January 2000: Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Federal Parliament, particularly in the area of veterans' affairs.[3]
- 1 January 2001: Centenary Medal for distinguished service to the Commonwealth Parliament and politics[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Gordon, Michael: "One determined bastard", The Age, 19 April 2003.
- ^ Media Release: Australia Welcomes Commencement of Fiji Elections, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia), 24 August 2001.
- ^ It's an Honour, Australian Government.
- ^ It's an Honour, Australian Government.
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Arthur Gietzelt |
Minister for Veterans' Affairs 1987 – 1993 |
Succeeded by John Faulkner |
| Preceded by Bob Collins |
Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Northern Australia 1992 – 1993 |
Abolished |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| Preceded by Donald Cameron |
Member for Griffith 1977 – 1996 |
Succeeded by Graeme McDougall |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Humphreys, Ben |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | Humphreys, Benjamin Charles |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Australian politician |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 17 August 1934 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | |
| DATE OF DEATH | living |
| PLACE OF DEATH | |
