William Maloney
Encyclopedia
Dr William Robert Nuttal Maloney (12 April 1854 - 29 August 1940) was a long serving Australian Labor Party
member of the Australian House of Representatives
for 36 years from 1904 to 1940.
Born into a wealthy family in West Melbourne
, Maloney was educated in the Melbourne private school system, the University of Melbourne
and St Mary’s Hospital, London
, graduating as a Medical Doctor. Returning to Melbourne
in 1888, Maloney divided his time between his obstetrics
practice and agitating for social reform. It was during this period that he acquired the nickname that he would retain throughout his life, the Little Doctor.
Elected to the Victorian colonial Legislative Assembly
as the Member for West Melbourne in 1889, Maloney showed his radical nature by introducing one of the first Bills advocating women’s suffrage
in the British Empire
. He also found the time to establish the Medical Institute, which provided free medical treatment for the poorer denizens of Melbourne.
Maloney resigned from the Assembly to stand for the Division of Melbourne
at the 1903 federal election, narrowly losing to the opposing Protectionist Party
candidate Malcolm McEacharn
but, following a protest, largely on irregularities relating to postal votes, the 1903 result was voided and a by election run in 1904, which Maloney duly won.
The Division of Melbourne became a safe Labor seat and Maloney was easily returned in forthcoming elections, including standing unopposed in 1929
and 1937
. Retiring before the 1940 election
and dying later that same year, Maloney holds the distinction of being a Member of Parliament for 36 years without holding ministerial office, the longest period spent as a backbencher by any member of the House of Representatives.
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....
for 36 years from 1904 to 1940.
Born into a wealthy family in West Melbourne
West Melbourne
West Melbourne may refer to:*West Melbourne, Florida, United States*West Melbourne, Victoria, Australia...
, Maloney was educated in the Melbourne private school system, the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
and St Mary’s Hospital, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, graduating as a Medical Doctor. Returning to Melbourne
Melbourne
Melbourne is the capital and most populous city in the state of Victoria, and the second most populous city in Australia. The Melbourne City Centre is the hub of the greater metropolitan area and the Census statistical division—of which "Melbourne" is the common name. As of June 2009, the greater...
in 1888, Maloney divided his time between his obstetrics
Obstetrics
Obstetrics is the medical specialty dealing with the care of all women's reproductive tracts and their children during pregnancy , childbirth and the postnatal period...
practice and agitating for social reform. It was during this period that he acquired the nickname that he would retain throughout his life, the Little Doctor.
Elected to the Victorian colonial Legislative Assembly
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
as the Member for West Melbourne in 1889, Maloney showed his radical nature by introducing one of the first Bills advocating women’s suffrage
Suffrage
Suffrage, political franchise, or simply the franchise, distinct from mere voting rights, is the civil right to vote gained through the democratic process...
in the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
. He also found the time to establish the Medical Institute, which provided free medical treatment for the poorer denizens of Melbourne.
Maloney resigned from the Assembly to stand for the Division of Melbourne
Division of Melbourne
The Division of Melbourne is an Australian Electoral Division of Victoria. It is represented by Adam Bandt of the Australian Greens.Created at Federation in 1900 the division was one of the original 75 divisions contested at the first federal election...
at the 1903 federal election, narrowly losing to the opposing Protectionist Party
Protectionist Party
The Protectionist Party was an Australian political party, formally organised from 1889 until 1909, with policies centred on protectionism. It argued that Australia needed protective tariffs to allow Australian industry to grow and provide employment. It had its greatest strength in Victoria and in...
candidate Malcolm McEacharn
Malcolm McEacharn
Sir Malcolm Donald McEacharn was Mayor of Melbourne from 1897 to 1900. He was a well-known Australian shipping magnate in the early part of the twentieth century and successfully stood for the Division of Melbourne at the inaugural federal election, held in 1901.- Early life :McEacharn was born in...
but, following a protest, largely on irregularities relating to postal votes, the 1903 result was voided and a by election run in 1904, which Maloney duly won.
The Division of Melbourne became a safe Labor seat and Maloney was easily returned in forthcoming elections, including standing unopposed in 1929
Australian federal election, 1929
Federal elections were held in Australia on 12 October 1929. All 75 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election, with no Senate seats up for election, as a result of Billy Hughes and other rebel backbenchers crossing the floor over industrial relations legislation, depriving the...
and 1937
Australian federal election, 1937
Federal elections were held in Australia on 23 October 1937. All 74 seats in the House of Representatives, and 19 of the 36 seats in the Senate were up for election...
. Retiring before the 1940 election
Australian federal election, 1940
Federal elections were held in Australia on 21 September 1940. All 74 seats in the House of Representatives, and 19 of the 36 seats in the Senate were up for election...
and dying later that same year, Maloney holds the distinction of being a Member of Parliament for 36 years without holding ministerial office, the longest period spent as a backbencher by any member of the House of Representatives.