Jack Ferguson
Laurie John Ferguson AO (4 September 1924 – 17 September 2002), was an Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for the Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch). He served in Neville Wran's state government as the Deputy Premier of New South Wales from 1976 to 1984.
Jack Ferguson AO | |
|---|---|
| 9th Deputy Premier of New South Wales | |
| In office 14 May 1976 – 10 February 1984 | |
| Premier | Neville Wran |
| Preceded by | Leon Punch |
| Succeeded by | Ron Mulock |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Merrylands | |
| In office 21 March 1959 – 5 February 1962 | |
| Preceded by | New creation |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Fairfield | |
| In office 3 March 1962 – 23 January 1968 | |
| Preceded by | Clarrie Earl |
| Succeeded by | Eric Bedford |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Merrylands | |
| In office 24 February 1968 – 5 March 1984 | |
| Preceded by | New creation |
| Succeeded by | Geoff Irwin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 4 September 1924 Zetland, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 17 September 2002 (aged 78) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party (New South Wales Branch) |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Ellen Bett |
| Children | Martin Ferguson, Laurie Ferguson, Andrew Ferguson |
Early life
Born in the inner Sydney suburb of Zetland, Ferguson was educated at Granville Convent and Marist Brothers College, Parramatta, both Catholic schools.
After leaving school he was variously a farmhand, textile worker, builder's labourer and bricklayer and was an organiser for the Building Workers' Industrial Union. From 1942–46 he served in the Second Australian Imperial Force.
Following his demobilisation, he became active in municipal, and then state, politics. He was an alderman on Parramatta Council from 1954–59, and Deputy Mayor in 1959. He married Mary Ellen Bett; the couple had three sons (Laurie, Martin and Andrew) and two daughters.[1]
Political career
Ferguson was the member for Merrylands from March 1959 to 1962 and 1968 to 5 March 1984. From 1962 to 1968, he was member for Fairfield. A member of the Labor Party's left wing, he was best known as Deputy Premier and Minister for Public Works and Minister for Ports, from May 1976 until February 1984, in the cabinet headed by Neville Wran. He was also Minister for Housing from May 1976 to February 1977.[1]
Death
Ferguson died in Sydney aged 78, from mesothelioma according to his son Andrew.[2]
References
- "The Hon. (Jack) Laurie John Ferguson (1924–2002)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 13 May 2019.
- http://workers.labor.net.au/153/news6_ferguson.html
| New South Wales Legislative Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| New district | Member for Merrylands 1959–1962 |
Seat abolished |
| Preceded by Clarrie Earl |
Member for Fairfield 1962–1968 |
Succeeded by Eric Bedford |
| New district | Member for Merrylands 1968–1984 |
Succeeded by Geoff Irwin |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by Syd Einfeld |
Deputy Leader of the Opposition of New South Wales 1973–1976 |
Succeeded by John Maddison |
| Preceded by Leon Punch |
Deputy Premier of New South Wales 1976–1984 |
Succeeded by Ron Mulock |
| Minister for Public Works 1976–1984 |
Succeeded by Laurie Brereton | |
| Minister for Ports 1976–1984 |
Succeeded by Lin Gordon | |
| Preceded by Ian Griffith |
Minister for Housing 1976–1977 |
Succeeded by Ron Mulock |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by Syd Einfeld |
Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales 1973–1984 |
Succeeded by Ron Mulock |