A political family of Australia (also called a political dynasty) is a family in which multiple members are involved in Australian politics, particularly electoral politics. Members may be related by blood or marriage; often several generations or multiple siblings may be involved.
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- Thomas Archer, Legislative Council of Tasmania 1827–1844
- Joseph Archer, Legislative Council of Tasmania 1851–1853
- William Archer, Legislative Council & House of Assembly of Tasmania, 1851–1855(MLC)/1860-1862 & 1866–1868 (MHA)
- Robert Joseph Archer, House of Assembly of Tasmania 1869–1871, Longford Municipality Alderman
- Basil Archer, House of Assembly of Tasmania 1871–1872
- William Henry Davies Archer, House of Assembly of Tasmania, 1882–1886, Longford Municipality Alderman, Council Warden, Treasurer 1872–1894
- Frank Archer, House of Assembly of Tasmania, 1893–1902
- William Fulbert Archer, Longford Municipality Alderman
- Thomas Cathcart Archer, Longford Municipality Alderman
- Bruce Baird (born 1942), MLA for Northcott NSW 1984—95, Minister in Greiner and Fahey governments. MHR for Cook 1998—2007. His son:
- Mike Baird (born 1968), MLA for Manly NSW 2007—2017, Minister, Treasurer, 44th NSW Premier 2014—2017
They are cousins, the grandsons of Frederick Baume, a member of parliament in New Zealand.
- Harry Braid (1917–2001) was an independent member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council for Mersey from 1972 to 1990.
- His daughter Sue Napier (1948–2010) was a Liberal member of the House of Assembly for Bass from 1992 to 2010.
- His cousin Ian Braid was a Liberal MHA for Wilmot/Lyons from 1969 to 1972 and 1975 to 1995.
- Bob Brown was an ALP MHR for Hunter 1980–84 and Charlton 1984–98; his daughter
- Kelly Hoare succeeded him in Charlton as member 1998–2007.
conservative Premiers of South Australia; their great-grandson and grandson respectively:
- Walkinshaw Cowan (1808–1888), private secretary to Western Australian Governors John Hutt, Andrew Clarke and Frederick Irwin
- Thomas Brown (1803–1863), Member of the Western Australian Legislative Council (1850s)
- Edith Cowan (1861–1932), Member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia (12 March 1921 – 22 March 1924). Granddaughter of Thomas Brown and Daughter-in-Law of Walkinshaw Cowan.
- Edward Wittenoom (1854–1936), Member of the Legislative Council of Western Australia (30 May 1883 – 23 January 1884 and 25 June 1885 – 6 November 1886) First cousin of Edith Cowan
- Hendy Cowan (born 25 April 1943) is a former deputy premier of Western Australia. Grandson of Walkinshaw Cowan and nephew of Edith Cowan
- Benjamin Cribb (1807—1874), Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for Stanley Boroughs (1858–1859), Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for West Moreton (1861–1867) and Ipswich (1870–1873)
- Benjamin's brother Robert Cribb (1805—1893), Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly for East Moreton (1859–1859), Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Town of Brisbane (1860—1863) and East Moreton (1863—1867)
- Benjamin's son Thomas Bridson Cribb (1845—1913), Member of the Queensland Legislative Council (1893—1896), Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Ipswich (1896—1904), Treasurer of Queensland (1901—1903), Member of the Queensland Legislative Council (1913)
- Benjamin's son James Clarke Cribb (1856–1926), Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Rosewood (1893—1896), Bundamba (1899—1912) and Bremer (1912—1915)
- Benjamin's brother-in-law and business partner John Clarke Foote (1822—1895), Member of the Queensland Legislative Council (1877—1895)
- John's brother James Foote (1829–1895), Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for West Moreton (1873—1878), Bundamba (1880—1888) and Rosewood (1892—1893)
• Paul Davey AM, Federal Director for the Nationals
• Senator Perin Davey, Deputy Leader of the Nationals.
his sons:
John Dunn Snr's son-in-law and nephew:
More information Name, Australian House of Representatives ...
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The Hughes family has a long history in both New South Wales and Federal politics.
- Sir Thomas Hughes was the first Lord Mayor of Sydney and member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1908 until 1930. His brother,
- John Francis Hughes was also an MLC, serving from 1895 until 1912. He also served as NSW Minister for Justice and Vice-President of the Executive Council. Their brother in-law,
- John Lane Mullins, husband of Jane Hughes; sister of Sir Thomas and John Hughes, was also an MLC from 1917 until 1934. Their grandson and his great-nephew,
- Tom Hughes, was a Liberal Party of Australia member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1963 until 1972, serving as Attorney-General during the Gorton government. His daughter,
- Lucy Hughes, was the first female Lord Mayor of Sydney, serving from 2003 until 2004. She is married to
- Malcolm Turnbull, the Prime Minister of Australia and Leader of the Liberal Party from September 2015 until August 2018, and member for Wentworth 2004–18. He is the former Leader of the Opposition, having served in that role from 2008 until 2009. He served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment during the Howard government, and until taking on the role of Prime Minister, he served as the Minister for Communications in the Abbott government.
Brothers
- Sandy Lewis (1931–2016), MP for Blackwood, Western Australia 1972–1989
- Tom Lewis (1922 –2016), 33rd Premier of New South Wales 1975 – 1976
their grandfather
- John McLarty (1842–1909), MLA in Western Australia 1904–1909; brother of Edward
- Edward McLarty (1848–1917), MLC in Western Australia 1894–1916; brother of John
- Ross McLarty (1891–1962), MLA in Western Australia 1930–1962, Premier 1947–1953; son of Edward
- Sir Crawford Nalder was Deputy Premier of Western Australia from 1962 to 1971. His son
- Cambell Nalder, was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1986 to 1987. His son
- Dean Nalder, was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 2013 to 2021 and was the Transport minister in the Western Australian Government.
- Frederick Piesse (1853–1912), MLA in Western Australia 1890–1909; brother of Alfred, Arnold, and Charles
- Charles Piesse (1855–1914), MLC in Western Australia 1894–1914; brother of Alfred, Arnold, and Frederick
- Alfred Piesse (1866–1939), MLA in Western Australia 1911–1924; brother of Arnold, Charles, and Frederick
- Arnold Piesse (1872–1935), MLA in Western Australia 1909–1914 and 1930–1935; brother of Alfred, Charles, and Frederick
- Harold Piesse (1884–1944), MLC in Western Australia 1932–1944; son of Frederick
- Edmund Piesse (1900–1952), Senator for Western Australia 1950–1952; son of Arnold
- Winifred Piesse (born 1923), MLC in Western Australia 1977–1983; daughter-in-law of Charles
The Playford family has played a significant role in the South Australian and Australian political and social sphere since the early days of European settlement.
- John Rendell Street, MLC (b.1832–d.1891): Founder of the Australian Street dynasty; successor of Sir Edmund Barton, 1st Prime Minister of Australia, in his New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of East Sydney (1887–death); descendant of Baron Sir Thomas Street.
- Sir Philip Whistler Street, KCMG, KC (b.1863–d.1938): 8th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales (1925–1938); second longest serving judge in New South Wales history; son of John Rendell, father of Sir Kenneth.
- Lieutenant Colonel Sir Kenneth Whistler Street, KCMG, KStJ, QC (b.1890–d.1972): 10th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales (1950–1972); son of Sir Philip, husband of "Red Jessie", father of Sir Laurence.
- Jessie Mary Grey, Lady Street (b.1889–d.1970): Prominent diplomat and suffragette; Australia's first female delegate to the United Nations; instrumental in the gender non-discrimination clause of the UN Charter; organised the formation of the Aboriginal Rights Organisation.[10]
- Brigadier Geoffrey Austin Street, MP, MC (b.1894–d.1940): Australia's Minister of Defence in the First Menzies Government during World War II; awarded Military Cross for bravery in the Battle of Gallipoli; died as Minister of Defence in the Canberra Air Disaster of World War II; father of Anthony Austin.
- Commander Sir Laurence Whistler Street, AC, KCMG, KStJ, QC (1926–2018): 14th and second youngest Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales (1974–1989); son of Sir Kenneth and "Red Jessie", father of Alexander.
- Anthony Austin Street, MP, OM (1926–2022): Australia's Foreign Minister in the Fourth Fraser Ministry (1980–1983); Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations and Minister for Industrial Relations in the Third Fraser Ministry; son of Geoffrey Austin (held the same seat, Corangamite).
- Commander Alexander Whistler Street, SC (b.1959–): Incumbent judge of the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Commander of the Royal Australian Naval Reserve, along with his sister Justice Sylvia Emmett (née Street), a federal judge and Lieutenant Commander in the naval reserve, and wife to federal judge Arthur Emmett.
- James Thomas Walker (1841–1923), original senator from New South Wales (1901–1913);
- his older cousin was Thomas Walker (1804–1886), member of NSW Legislative Council for Port Philip Bay (1843–1845)
- William Charles Wentworth I (1790–1872), member of the New South Wales Legislative Council for various periods between 1843 and 1862, including President of the Legislative Council (1861–1862)
- D'Arcy Wentworth, Jr. (1793–1861), member of the NSW Legislative Council (1843–1845), brother of W. C. Wentworth I
- William Charles Wentworth IV AO (1907–2003), member of the Australian House of Representatives (1949– 1977) and in the Ministry (1968–1972), great grandson of W. C. Wentworth I
- George Neville Griffiths (1840–1905), member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (1882–1885), grandfather of W. C. Wentworth IV
- John Scott (1821–1898), apart from 1869, member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly (1868–1888) and of the Queensland Legislative Council (1888–1890), father-in-law of G.N. Griffiths and great grandfather of W. C. Wentworth IV
- George Hill (1802–1883), Mayor of Sydney (1850), alderman of the City of Sydney (1842–1851) and (1857–1858),[11] and member of the NSW Legislative Council (1848–1849) and (1856–1861), great grandfather of W. C. Wentworth IV, his daughter, Mary Jane being the wife of Fitzwilliam, the son of W. C. Wentworth I
- Richard Hill (1810–1895). Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly (1868–1877), member of the Legislative Council (1880–1895), brother of George Hill, and whose wife, Henrietta Cox, was the sister of Sarah, the wife of W. C. Wentworth I
- William Charles Hill (1838–1919), member of the NSW Legislative Council (1900–1919), son of Richard Hill
- Sir Daniel Cooper, 1st Baronet (1821–1902), member of the NSW Legislative Council (1849–1851) and (1855–1856), member of the NSW Legislative Assembly (1856–1860) and the Assembly's first Speaker, his wife Elizabeth being the sister of George Hill and Richard Hill
- F. E. S. Willmott (1870–1941), MLA in Western Australia 1914–1921, MLC in Western Australia 1921–1926; father of F. D.
- Edmund Brockman (1882–1938), MLA in Western Australia 1933–1934; brother-in-law of F. E. S.
- William Willmott (1895–1947), MLA in Western Australia 1938–1947; nephew of F. E. S.
- F. D. Willmott (1904–2004), MLA in Western Australia 1955–1974; son of F. E. S.
- Sir Keith Wilson was Senator for South Australia from 1938 to 1944 and MHR for Sturt from 1949–1954 and 1955–1966. His son
- Ian represented Sturt from 1966–1969 and 1972–1993 and was a minister in the Fraser government. Ian was also great-grandson of Sir John Langdon Bonython MHR for South Australia 1901–1906 and great-great grandson of Sir John Cox Bray, the first native born premier of South Australia
- John "Jack" Ah Kit was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1995 to 2005, and was the first indigenous minister in the Northern Territory. His daughter, Ngaree Ah Kit, was elected to the Assembly in 2016.
- Anthony Albanese has been a Member of the House of Representatives since 1996, and was a minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments. His wife, Carmel Tebbutt was a member of New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 2005 until her retirement in 2015, Education Minister 2005–2007, and Deputy Premier of the State of NSW from 2008–2011. They have been dubbed the "King and Queen of Marrickville".[12]
- Jim Bacon was Premier of Tasmania 1998–2004, while his son, Scott Bacon was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 2010.
- Francis Matthew John Baker was Member for Oxley 1931 to 1934 and Griffith 1934 to 1939. His father Francis Patrick Baker was Member for Maranoa
- Martin Basedow was a member for Barossa in the South Australian Legislative Assembly from 1890 to 1902; his son Herbert Basedow was a member for the same seat from 1927 to 1930.
- Wayne Berry was a member of the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly for Ginninderra from 1989–2008 and Leader of the Opposition from 1997–1998. His daughter, Yvette Berry, has been a member of the Legislative Assembly for Ginninderra since 2012.
- Jack Birney (1928–1995), was a Liberal member of the House of Representatives (representing the Sydney electorate of Phillip) from 1975 till his defeat in 1983. His son, Matthew John "Matt" Birney (born 1969) was Leader of the Opposition in Western Australia 2005–06.
- George Booth was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly 1925–1960, while his son, Ken Booth was a member from 1960 to 1988.
- Carol Brown is a Senator for Tasmania since 2005 and the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport since 2022. Her niece Allison Ritchie was a member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council from 2001 to 2009. Another niece Meg Brown is a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Franklin since 2024.
- Max Bushby was a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly for Bass from 1961–1986 and a Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly. His son David Bushby was a Senator for Tasmania from 2007–2019 and his daughter Wendy Askew is a Senator for Tasmania since 2019 replacing her brother.
- Bert Cremean and his brother Jack Cremean were both Labor members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Clifton Hill. Jack replaced his brother in a by-election after Bert died of peritonitis following surgery. The family (on their mother's side) was very active in local government Labor politics in the City of Richmond.
- Mary Delahunty was a Labor member for Northcote in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1998 to 2006, and was Minister for Education (1999–2002); the Arts (1999 to 2006); Women's Affairs (2002–2006) and Planning (2002–2005). Her brother, Hugh Delahunty, was the National Party member for Lowan (2002–2014); and previously Wimmera (1999–2002) and was a minister in the Victorian Government.
- Ray Groom was a Member of the House of Representatives 1975–1984, a Minister in the Fraser government, a member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly 1986–2001, then Premier of Tasmania 1992–1996; his son, Matthew Groom was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 2010 and has been a minister in the Tasmanian Government since 2014.
- James Guy was an ALP Senator for Tasmania from 1914 to 1920 and his son James Allan Guy was ALP and later Nationalist Member for Bass and a Senator for Tasmania. George McElwee, Member of the Tasmanian Legislative Council from 1940 to 1946, was James Guy's brother-in-law.[13]
- Eric Harrison was a Member of the House of Representatives seat of Wentworth from 1931 to 1956, the first Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party of Australia (1944 to 1956) and held several major portfolios. His daughter Shirley Walters was Liberal Party Senator for Tasmania from 1975 to 1993.
- Alan Hunt was a member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1961–1992. His son, Greg Hunt, is the federal member for Flinders, was Minister for the Environment in the Abbott and Turnbull governments and is currently Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.
- Rowley James was the Member for Hunter, New South Wales 1924–1958, while his son, Bertie James was Member for the same seat 1960–1980.
- Harry Jenkins, Sr was Member of Parliament for Scullin, Victoria, 1969–1985, while his son, Harry Jenkins was the Member for the same seat from 1986 to 2013. They have both been Speaker of the House of Representatives.
- Stan Knowles, Member for Macquarie Fields in the NSW Legislative Assembly 1981–1990; and his son, Craig Knowles, member for the same seat 1990–2005.
- Michael Lavarch was Member of Parliament 1987–1996 and Attorney-General in the Keating government 1993–1996. His wife, Linda Lavarch, was Member for Kurwongbah in the Queensland Parliament, from 1997 to 2009, and was Attorney-General in the Beattie government 2005–2006.
- Dawn Lawrie, independent Member for Nightcliff in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, 1974–1983; her daughter, Delia Lawrie was Labor Member for Karama 2001–2016 and was Leader of the Opposition 2012–15.
- John Lemmon was the Labor member for Williamstown in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1904 to 1955—at nearly 51 years, the longest term in the Victorian parliament's history. His son, Nelson Lemmon, was a federal Labor MP for the seats of Forrest (WA; 1943–1949) and St George (NSW; 1954–1955), and a minister in the Chifley government.
- George Miles served in the Western Australian Legislative Council from 1916 to 1950, his great niece Jo Vallentine was an Independent / Greens senator for Western Australia from 1985 to 1992 and his great-granddaughter Mary Jo Fisher was a Liberal Party senator for South Australia from 2007 to 2012.
- Justin O'Byrne was a member of the Senate for Tasmania 1947–81, President of the Senate 1974–75, and Father of the Senate 1971–75; his distant cousin Michelle O'Byrne was Member for Bass 1998–2004, and Member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly since 2006; her brother, David O'Byrne, was Member for Franklin in the Tasmanian House of Assembly from 2010 to 2014.
- Noel Padgham-Purich was a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Tiwi 1977–1983; Koolpinyah 1983–1990; and Nelson 1990–1997. Her daughter, Kezia Purick, has been member for Goyder since 2008.
- Sir Earle Page was Prime Minister of Australia in 1939 and a Country Party Member of the House of Representatives from 1919 to 1961. His grandson Donald Page was a member of the NSW Legislative Assembly from 1988 to 2015 and a minister in the NSW Government from 2011 to 2014.
- Michael Polley was a member for Wilmot/Lyons from 1972-2014 and a Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly. His sister Helen Polley is a Senator for Tasmania from 2005.
- Ian Prentice was a Liberal Party member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Toowong from 1980 to 1983. His wife, Jane Prentice, has been the federal member for the Queensland seat of Ryan since 2010.
- Bess Price (Country Liberal Party) defeated her nephew, Labor MLA Karl Hampton, in the 2012 Northern Territory election and succeeded him as the member for Sturt in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly until 2016. She was a minister in the NT Government. Karl held the seat from 2006 to 2012 and was also a minister in the NT Government.
- Philip Ruddock was MP for Parramatta from 1973 until 1977, for Dundas from 1977 until 1993 and for Berowra from 1993 until 2016, was Immigration Minister 1996–2003 and Attorney-General 2003–2007 in the Howard government and was Father of the Australian Parliament from 1998 until 2016. His father, Max Ruddock was Member of the New South Wales state parliament from 1962 to 1976 and a minister in the NSW Government.
- Marie Tehan was a Liberal member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1987 to 1992 and of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1992 to 1999. She was a minister in the Victorian Government. Her son Dan Tehan has been a Liberal member of the Australian House of Representatives since 2010.
- Lindsay Thompson was a Liberal Party member of the Victorian Legislative Council from 1955 to 1970 and of the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1970 to 1982. He was the 40th Premier of Victoria. His son Murray Thompson has been a Liberal Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 1992.
- Kelvin Thomson was an MP in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 1988–1995 and was MHR for Wills in the Australian Parliament from 1996 until his retirement in 2016. His ex-wife Marsha Thomson was a member of the Victorian Legislative Council (1999–2006) and has represented Footscray in the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2006. She was the first Jewish woman to be a minister in any Australian Government serving in the Bracks and Brumby cabinets.
- William and Richard Vale were brothers who both represented West Ballarat in the Victorian Legislative Assembly during the latter part of the 19th century. William's great-grandson, Monte Vale, was member of the Assembly for Greensborough (1967–70, 1973–77), while Monte's son Roger Vale was member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Electoral division of Stuart, 1974–1994.
- Howard Venning was a Liberal member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1968 to 1979. His son Ivan Venning was a Liberal member of the South Australian House of Assembly from 1990 to 2014.
- David Watkins was Member for Newcastle 1901–1935, while his son David O. Watkins was Member for the same seat 1935–1958.
- Donald Robert "Don" Willesee (1916–2003) was a member of the Australian Senate for Western Australia 1950–1975, and a minister in the Whitlam government. His brother, William Francis Willesee (1911–2000) was a member of the Western Australian Legislative Council 1954–1974.
- Sir Eric Willis was Member of the NSW Legislative Assembly for Earlwood 1950–1978, and was Premier of New South Wales for a few months in 1976. His brother Max Willis, was Member of the New South Wales Legislative Council 1970–1999.
- Michael Wooldridge was a Member of the House of Representatives, and Minister for Health 1996–2001 in the Howard government. His sister, Mary Wooldridge, has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2006 and a minister in the Victorian Government.
- Jack Wright was Deputy Premier of South Australia from 1982 to 1985 and a Labor Member for Adelaide in the South Australian House of Assembly from 1971 to 1985. His son Michael Wright was the Labor member for Lee in the South Australian House of Assembly from 1997 to 2014 and a minister in the South Australian Government.
Glover, Gareth – Ed (2006). A Life Guardsman in Spain, France and at Waterloo, the memoirs of Sergeant Major Thomas Playford 2nd Life Guards 1810–30. Ken Trotman Publishing. ISBN 1-905074-46-8.
Cockburn, Stewart (1991). Playford: Benevolent Despot. Axiom Publishing. ISBN 0-9594164-4-7