Geoff Crawford
Encyclopedia
Geoffrey Robertson Crawford (16 December 1916 – 29 December 1998) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
from 1950 until 1976 . He was a member of the Country Party
and Minister for Agriculture
from 1968 until 1975.
Crawford was born in Inverell, New South Wales
and educated at a state high school. He initially worked as a farm hand and share farmer before buying his own farm in the Inverell district. He served in the Second Australian Imperial Force
in North Africa and New Guinea and received the Distinguished Conduct Medal
in 1944. Crawford was elected to the New South Wales Parliament as the Country Party member for Barwon at the 1950
state election. He defeated the sitting member Roy Heferen
who had been disendorsed by the Labor Party after breaking caucus solidarity during an indirect election of the New South Wales Legislative Council
. Crawford held the seat for the next 8 elections. He retired at the 1976
state election. During the premierships of Robert Askin
and Tom Lewis
he was Minister for Agriculture
. He also held various parliamentary positions including Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker.
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
from 1950 until 1976 . He was a member of the Country Party
National Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
and Minister for Agriculture
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, a division of the New South Wales Government, is responsibile for the administration and development for agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, state forests, biosecurity, and crown lands in New South Wales...
from 1968 until 1975.
Crawford was born in Inverell, New South Wales
Inverell, New South Wales
Inverell is a town in northern New South Wales, Australia, situated on the Macintyre River. It is also the centre of Inverell Shire. Inverell is located on the Gwydir Highway on the western slopes of the Northern Tablelands. It has a temperate climate...
and educated at a state high school. He initially worked as a farm hand and share farmer before buying his own farm in the Inverell district. He served in the Second Australian Imperial Force
Second Australian Imperial Force
The Second Australian Imperial Force was the name given to the volunteer personnel of the Australian Army in World War II. Under the Defence Act , neither the part-time Militia nor the full-time Permanent Military Force could serve outside Australia or its territories unless they volunteered to...
in North Africa and New Guinea and received the Distinguished Conduct Medal
Distinguished Conduct Medal
The Distinguished Conduct Medal was an extremely high level award for bravery. It was a second level military decoration awarded to other ranks of the British Army and formerly also to non-commissioned personnel of other Commonwealth countries.The medal was instituted in 1854, during the Crimean...
in 1944. Crawford was elected to the New South Wales Parliament as the Country Party member for Barwon at the 1950
New South Wales state election, 1950
The 1950 New South Wales State state election was held on 17 June 1950. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1949 redistribution...
state election. He defeated the sitting member Roy Heferen
Roy Heferen
Stephen Roy Heferen was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 until 1950. During his parliamentary career he was a member of the Australian Labor Party but sat as an Independent Labor member between March and May 1950.-Early life:Heferen...
who had been disendorsed by the Labor Party after breaking caucus solidarity during an indirect election of the New South Wales Legislative Council
New South Wales Legislative Council
The New South Wales Legislative Council, or upper house, is one of the two chambers of the parliament of New South Wales in Australia. The other is the Legislative Assembly. Both sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney. The Assembly is referred to as the lower house and the Council as...
. Crawford held the seat for the next 8 elections. He retired at the 1976
New South Wales state election, 1976
A general election for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly was held in the state of New South Wales, Australia, on Saturday 1 May 1976. The result was a narrow win for the Australian Labor Party under Neville Wran—the party's first in the state in more than a decade.- Issues :The incumbent...
state election. During the premierships of Robert Askin
Robert Askin
Sir Robert William Askin GCMG, was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party of Australia. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971...
and Tom Lewis
Tom Lewis
Tom Lewis may refer to:*Tom Lewis , former Premier of New South Wales*Tom Lewis , Scottish chef*Tom Lewis , Australia*Tom Lewis , British obstetrician...
he was Minister for Agriculture
New South Wales Department of Primary Industries
The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, a division of the New South Wales Government, is responsibile for the administration and development for agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, state forests, biosecurity, and crown lands in New South Wales...
. He also held various parliamentary positions including Chairman of Committees and Deputy Speaker.