Lance Barnard
| The Honourable Lance Barnard AO | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 3rd Deputy Prime Minister of Australia | |
| In office 2 December 1972 – 18 May 1974 | |
| Prime Minister | Gough Whitlam |
| Preceded by | Doug Anthony |
| Succeeded by | Jim Cairns |
| Minister for Defence | |
| In office 2 December 1972 – 13 December 1975 | |
| Prime Minister | Gough Whitlam |
| Preceded by | David Fairbairn |
| Succeeded by | Bill Morrison |
| Member of the Australian Parliament for Bass | |
| In office 29 May 1954 – 2 June 1975 | |
| Preceded by | Bruce Kekwick |
| Succeeded by | Kevin Newman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 May 1919 Launceston, Tasmania |
| Died | 6 August 1997 (aged 78) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Relations | Claude Barnard (father) |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Lance Herbert Barnard AO (1 May 1919 – 6 August 1997), Australian politician, was Deputy Prime Minister of Australia for most of the Labor government of Gough Whitlam.
A Tasmanian by birth, raised in Launceston, Barnard was the son of Claude Barnard, who was a Labor MP from Tasmania from 1934 to 1949 and a Minister in the Chifley government. He was a teacher before being elected in 1954 to the House of Representatives for the Division of Bass, his father's old seat. In 1967, he became Deputy Leader of the Labor Party and when it won office under Whitlam in 1972 Barnard was Deputy Prime Minister.As Minister for Defence, Barnard personally ensured the recommendations of the Jess Committee and new Defense Force Retirements Benefits Scheme was implemented in 1972. ref:Canberra Times 1st November 1972
For the first two weeks of Whitlam's government, before the full electoral result was known, Whitlam and Barnard formed a two-man ministry, known as a duumvirate, to govern until a full ministry could be announced. Barnard held 14 portfolios including Defence and Immigration. Following the announcement of a complete ministry, Barnard served as Minister for Defence.
Following the 1974 election, Barnard lost the Labor Deputy Leadership to Dr. Jim Cairns and shortly thereafter he retired from politics. He became Ambassador to Norway, Finland, and Sweden. Bass was resoundingly lost to the Liberals at the ensuing by-election, a shock result that was seen by many as the beginning of the end for the Whitlam government, which was dismissed five months later.
References
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Doug Anthony |
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia 1972–1974 |
Succeeded by Jim Cairns |
| Preceded by David Fairbairn |
Minister for Defence 1972–1975 |
Succeeded by Bill Morrison |
| Preceded by Tom Drake-Brockman |
Minister for Air 1972–1973 |
Abolished |
| Preceded by Bob Katter |
Minister for the Army 1972–1973 | |
| Preceded by Malcolm Mackay |
Minister for the Navy 1972–1973 | |
| Preceded by Victor Garland |
Minister for Supply 1972–1973 |
Succeeded by Kep Enderby |
| Parliament of Australia | ||
| Preceded by Bruce Kekwick |
Member for Bass 1954–1975 |
Succeeded by Kevin Newman |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Gough Whitlam |
Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party 1967–1974 |
Succeeded by Jim Cairns |
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