Ben Chifley | |
Prime Minister of Australia | |
In office:
July 13, 1945 - June 13, 1951 | |
Preceded by: |
Frank Forde |
Succeeded by: | |
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: | |
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.