John McGrath (New South Wales politician)

The Hon. John Francis McGrath (1 September 1893 – 20 December 1971) was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 until 1959 . He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and held a number of ministerial positions including Minister for Housing.

Early and Personal Life

McGrath was born in Chicago. He was the son of a publican and migrated with his family to Australia at age 9. He was educated at St Aloysius' College (Sydney) and initially worked as an electrician. He became an official of the Electrical Trades Union but left the industry to become a hotel owner. McGrath became active in community organizations in the Rockdale area and was elected as an alderman on Bexley Municipal Council from 1934 till 1941. He was the deputy mayor in 1939-41.

State Parliament

McGrath was the defeated ALP candidate at the 1939 by-election for the seat of Hurstville which was won by Clive Evatt of the Industrial Labor Party. He was eventually elected to the New South Wales parliament as the Labor member for new seat of Rockdale at the 1941 election. He retained the seat for the next 5 elections and retired in 1959.

Government

McGrath held ministerial positions in the government of Joseph Cahill. He was a minister without portfolio in 1953-4, the Minister for Housing in 1954-56 and the Secretary for Public Works from 1956 until his retirement. In this role he was responsible for the early construction work on the Sydney Opera House.

References

• "The Hon. John Francis McGrath (1893-1971)". Former members of the New South Wales Parliament, 1856-2006. New South Wales Parliament. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/1fb6ebed995667c2ca256ea100825164/ed5a172ff811ded1ca256e4400095417?OpenDocument. Retrieved 2009-01-11.