John McLeay Sr.

Sir John "Jack" McLeay, KCMG, MM (19 November 1893 – 22 June 1982) was an Australian politician and the longest-serving Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives.^[1]

Early life

McLeay was born in Port Clinton, the son of well to do farmers. After his initial schooling in Port Clinton, McLeay finished his education in Adelaide, attending Unley High School and Muirden College before commencing work for local businesses.

Military experience

He enlisted soon after the outbreak of the First World War, serving as a stretcher-bearer in the Field Ambulance Corps in France, and was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery under fire. Returning to Adelaide after the war, McLeay joined his brother George's importing business and involved himself in local issues.

Political life

Elected to the Adelaide suburban Unley Council in 1924, McLeay served as Mayor of Unley from 1935 to 1937, resigning to contest the state Electoral district of Unley as an independent at the 1938 election. He was one of 14 lower house MPs to be elected as an independent, which as a grouping won 40 percent of the primary vote, more than either of the major parties. At the time, there were 39 MPs in the legislature. Tom Stott was the de facto leader of the independent caucus within parliament. McLeay lost Unley at the 1941 election and later acknowledged that his three-year period in the House of Assembly was a waste of time, in terms of his being able to accomplish anything as an independent.

Nevertheless McLeay did not stay out of politics for long. He was elected Lord Mayor of Adelaide in 1946, and held that office till 1949, during which time he gained Liberal and Country League pre-selection for the safely pro-Menzies federal electorate of Boothby. Accordingly McLeay entered the Australian House of Representatives at the 1949 election.

In 1956 McLeay became Speaker of the House. He remained Speaker for more than 10 years (a record that still stands), until he resigned from parliament on 31 October 1966. Following his retirement, McLeay served as Chairman of McLeay Brothers Ltd. and director of other companies, as well as member of the Tramways Trust Board, the State Bank of South Australia and the council of the University of Adelaide. He also served as president of the Adelaide Legacy Club, the South Australian Retail Furniture Association, the South Australian Playground Association and the South Australian Tree Planters Association.

Created a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1962 for political and community services, McLeay had family members who carried on the tradition of political activism. His brother George and his son John Jnr both served in the federal parliament, John Jnr having inherited the electorate of Boothby from John Snr.

Death

McLeay died in Adelaide after a short illness, predeceased by his wife, Lady Eileen. A state funeral was held in his honour.

References