Anderson Dawson
Encyclopedia
Andrew Dawson usually known as Anderson Dawson, was an Australia
n politician, the Premier of Queensland
for one week (1–7 December) in 1899. This premiership was not only the first Australian Labor Party
government; it was the first parliamentary socialist government anywhere in the world, and it attracted international newspaper coverage.
Dawson was born at Rockhampton
, Queensland. When he was six his mother died and he was placed in Diamantina orphanage in Brisbane
until he was nine, when an uncle took him to Gympie
. He began work as a miner at Charters Towers
, and later was elected first president of the Miners' Union. He took up journalism and for a time was editor of the local newspaper, The Charters Towers Eagle.
In 1893, Dawson entered politics as a Labor candidate for Charters Towers
in the Queensland Legislative Assembly
; he won the seat, and retained it at the 1896 and 1899 elections. When the government of James Robert Dickson
resigned on 1 December 1899, Dawson formed a ministry, which was, however, defeated as soon as the house next met. It did however represent the first socialist or Labour government in the world. Subsequently, at the first Federal election for the Senate
(1901), he was returned at the head of the Queensland poll. In April 1904 when J.C. Watson
formed the first Federal Labor government, Dawson was given the portfolio of Minister for Defence.
Initially announcing his intention to retire at the 1906 election, he ultimately decided to contest it, but as the Labor candidates had already been selected he ran as an Independent. He lost his seat and died in 1910 in Brisbane.
The Federal electoral division of Dawson
is named after him.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician, the Premier of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
for one week (1–7 December) in 1899. This premiership was not only the first Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
government; it was the first parliamentary socialist government anywhere in the world, and it attracted international newspaper coverage.
Dawson was born at Rockhampton
Rockhampton
Rockhampton can refer to:* Rockhampton, Queensland is a city in Queensland, Australia* Rockhampton City, Queensland, a suburb of Rockhampton, Queensland* Electoral district of Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia...
, Queensland. When he was six his mother died and he was placed in Diamantina orphanage in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
until he was nine, when an uncle took him to Gympie
Gympie
Gympie may refer to:* Gympie, a city in Queensland, Australia** Gympie Airport** Electoral district of Gympie** Gympie Region, its local government authority* Gympie Gympie , a stinging plant...
. He began work as a miner at Charters Towers
Charters Towers, Queensland
Charters Towers is a city in northern Queensland, Australia. It is located 137 kilometres inland from Townsville on the Flinders Highway. In 2006 the population was 7,979 people, some 450 fewer than in the 2001 census. During the last quarter of the 19th century the town boomed as the rich gold...
, and later was elected first president of the Miners' Union. He took up journalism and for a time was editor of the local newspaper, The Charters Towers Eagle.
In 1893, Dawson entered politics as a Labor candidate for Charters Towers
Electoral district of Charters Towers
Charters Towers was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of Queensland. It has had three incarnations, most recently being created as part of a redistribution in 1991 and lasting until 2008....
in the Queensland Legislative Assembly
Queensland Legislative Assembly
The Queensland Legislative Assembly is the unicameral chamber of the Parliament of Queensland. Elections are held approximately once every three years. Voting is by the Optional Preferential Voting form of the Alternative Vote system...
; he won the seat, and retained it at the 1896 and 1899 elections. When the government of James Robert Dickson
James Dickson
Sir James Robert Dickson, KCMG was an Australian politician and businessman, the 13th Premier of Queensland and a member of the first federal ministry....
resigned on 1 December 1899, Dawson formed a ministry, which was, however, defeated as soon as the house next met. It did however represent the first socialist or Labour government in the world. Subsequently, at the first Federal election for the Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
(1901), he was returned at the head of the Queensland poll. In April 1904 when J.C. Watson
Chris Watson
John Christian Watson , commonly known as Chris Watson, Australian politician, was the third Prime Minister of Australia...
formed the first Federal Labor government, Dawson was given the portfolio of Minister for Defence.
Initially announcing his intention to retire at the 1906 election, he ultimately decided to contest it, but as the Labor candidates had already been selected he ran as an Independent. He lost his seat and died in 1910 in Brisbane.
The Federal electoral division of Dawson
Division of Dawson
The Division of Dawson is an Australian Electoral Division in Queensland. The division was created in 1949 and is named for Anderson Dawson, the first Labor Premier of Queensland and leader of the first parliamentary socialist government anywhere in the world...
is named after him.