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Ben Chifley
Benchifley
Prime Minister of Australia
In office:

July 13, 1945 - June 13, 1951

Preceded by:

Frank Forde

Succeeded by:

Herbert Evatt

Treasurer of Australia
In office:

April 25, 1944 - June 13, 1951

Preceded by: Unknown
Succeeded by: Bill Ashley
Minister of Commerce
In office:

1934 - 1938

Preceded by: Unknown
Succeeded by: Unknown
Biography
Born:

September 22 1885, Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia

Died June 13 1951, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia
Nationality: Australia
Political party:

Labor

Spouse:

Elizabeth McKenzie

Children: None
Alma mater:

None

Occupation: Politician
Religion: Roman Catholic

Ben CHifley was an Australian politician who served as Prime Minister (1945 - 1951).

He briefly served as Treasurer under John Curtin, before the latter's death.

As Prime Minister he effectivly founded the Australian welfare state, organised the post-war immigration scheme, established the Snowy Mountains scheme and oversaw the construction of over 250,000 new houses.

In 1949 he attempted to Nationalise the Banks, although passing through parliament, and being approved by the President, the act was named unconstitutional by the High Court.

He died in June 1951, and was suceeded by Herbert Evatt. Evatt led the Labor government to a landslide defeat in the 1951 federal election.

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