Gordon Bryant
Encyclopedia
Gordon Munro Bryant was an Australian politician. A member of the Australian Labor Party
, he represented the Division of Wills
from 1955 until his retirement in 1980.
Bryant was born in Lismore
, Victoria, and educated at Frankston High School
, Melbourne Teachers' College and Melbourne University. He worked as a high teacher and served in the Australian Army and later the Citizens' Military Force
before entering Parliament
in 1955. A passionate supporter of land rights, Bryant was President of the Aborigines Advancement League
for seven years, from 1957 to 1964.
After seventeen years in Parliament, Bryant joined the Cabinet of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
, becoming Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in 1972. A year later he became Minister for the Capital Territory
. As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, he was instrumental in the Whitlam Government's historic land rights deal with Vincent Lingiari
and the Gurindji people. Bryant retired in 1980, and his electorate was taken over by future Prime Minister Bob Hawke
. After retirement, he worked as Secretary of the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of Australia.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, and two sons, Robin and Linton.
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...
, he represented the Division of Wills
Division of Wills
The Division of Wills is an Australian electoral division of Victoria. It is currently held by the Australian Labor Party's Kelvin Thomson.The electorate encompasses many of the suburbs in the City of Moreland in Melbourne's north, including Brunswick, Coburg, Fawkner, Glenroy, and Essendon Airport...
from 1955 until his retirement in 1980.
Bryant was born in Lismore
Lismore, Victoria
Lismore is a town in Victoria, Australia, located on the Hamilton Highway west of Melbourne. It is part of the Corangamite Shire local government area.The town is located at a point equidistant from Geelong and Warrnambool....
, Victoria, and educated at Frankston High School
Frankston High School
Frankston High School, in Victoria, Australia, is a secondary college offering education for students in Years 7 to 12.-School profile:Frankston High School is a large multi-campus co-educational school situated in South Frankston. The Year 7 to 10 and Senior School Campuses occupy nearby sites...
, Melbourne Teachers' College and Melbourne University. He worked as a high teacher and served in the Australian Army and later the Citizens' Military Force
Australian Army Reserve
The Australian Army Reserve is a collective name given to the reserve units of the Australian Army. Since the Federation of Australia in 1901, the reserve military force has been known by many names, including the Citizens Forces, the Citizen Military Forces, the Militia and, unofficially, the...
before entering Parliament
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....
in 1955. A passionate supporter of land rights, Bryant was President of the Aborigines Advancement League
Aborigines Advancement League
The Aborigines Advancement League claims to be the oldest Aboriginal organisation in Australia...
for seven years, from 1957 to 1964.
After seventeen years in Parliament, Bryant joined the Cabinet of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
, becoming Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in 1972. A year later he became Minister for the Capital Territory
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...
. As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, he was instrumental in the Whitlam Government's historic land rights deal with Vincent Lingiari
Vincent Lingiari
Vincent Lingiarri, AM , was an Aboriginal rights activist who was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the Aboriginal people. Lingiarri was a member of the Gurindji people. In Vincent's earlier life he worked as a stockman at Wave Hill Cattle Station. He also played...
and the Gurindji people. Bryant retired in 1980, and his electorate was taken over by future Prime Minister 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....
. After retirement, he worked as Secretary of the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of Australia.
He is survived by his wife, Pat, and two sons, Robin and Linton.