Ben Humphreys
Encyclopedia
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.
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.
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 17 August 1934), Australian politician, is a former 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...
member of the Australian House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
representing the Division of Griffith
Division of Griffith
The Division of Griffith is anAustralian Electoral Division in Queensland.The division was created in 1934, when the old seat of Oxley was abolished, and is named for Sir Samuel Griffith, 9th Premier of Queensland and principal author of the Australian Constitution...
, Queensland from 1977 to 1996.
Humphreys served a six year term as Minister for Veterans' Affairs
Minister for Veterans' Affairs (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Veterans' Affairs oversees income support, compensation, care and commemoration programs for more than 400,000 veterans and their widows, widowers and dependants....
in the ministries of Bob Hawke
Bob Hawke
Robert James Lee "Bob" Hawke AC GCL was the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991 and therefore longest serving Australian Labor Party Prime Minister....
and Paul Keating
Paul Keating
Paul John Keating was the 24th Prime Minister of Australia, serving from 1991 to 1996. Keating was elected as the federal Labor member for Blaxland in 1969 and came to prominence as the reformist treasurer of the Hawke Labor government, which came to power at the 1983 election...
. In December 1991, that ministry was promoted to Cabinet
Cabinet of Australia
The Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers of the Crown, responsible to parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister the Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, and serves at the former's pleasure. The strictly private...
, and the next year Humphreys also took over the duties of Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Northern Australia
Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been Brendan O'Connor since 6 June 2009. The Home Affairs portfolio brings together agencies such as the Australian Customs Service , the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, which were previously the...
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
Kevin Rudd
Kevin Michael Rudd is an Australian politician who was the 26th Prime Minister of Australia from 2007 to 2010. He has been Minister for Foreign Affairs since 2010...
, later to become leader of the ALP and Prime Minister of Australia, lost the election to Liberal candidate Graeme McDougall
Graeme McDougall
Graeme Robert McDougall , Australian politician, is the former Liberal Party of Australia member of the House of Representatives for the electorate of Griffith in Queensland from 2 March 1996 to 3 October 1998....
but later won the seat in 1998.
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.
Honours
- 26 January 2000: Member of the Order of AustraliaOrder of AustraliaThe Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
for service to the Federal Parliament, particularly in the area of veterans' affairs. - 1 January 2001: Centenary MedalCentenary MedalThe Centenary Medal is an award created by the Australian Government in 2001. It was established to commemorate the Centenary of Federation of Australia and to honour people who have made a contribution to Australian society or government...
for distinguished service to the Commonwealth Parliament and politics