Brian Harradine
Encyclopedia
Richard William Brian Harradine (born 9 January 1935), Australia
n politician
, was an independent member of the Australian Senate
from 1975 to 2005, representing the state of Tasmania
. He was the longest-serving independent federal politician in Australian history, and a Father of the Senate.
He was born in Quorn
, South Australia
before moving to Tasmania in 1959. Harradine worked as an official for the Federated Clerks Union and then went on to serve as Secretary General of the Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council between 1964 and 1976 and by virtue of this position, a member of the executive of the Australian Council of Trade Unions
. While a member of the Australian Labor Party
, Harradine's social conservative politics driven by his Roman Catholic background made him a prime target for accusations of sympathy for the Democratic Labor Party. His own accusation, in 1968, that 'friends of communists' were out to get him led to a bitter fight. He was expelled from the ALP by the Federal Executive.
Even though the move to expel Harradine from the Federal Executive was successful ALP leader Gough Whitlam risked his own leadership when he tried to save Harradine from expulsion resulting in him narrowly defeating a leadership challenge from Jim Cairns.
He decided to contest the 1975 election
as an independent for the Senate and won comfortably. Harradine then went on to continuously hold a Senate seat until deciding not to contest the 2004 election. His term expired on 30 June 2005.
From 1993 to 1999, Brian Harradine and Mal Colston
were joint Fathers of the Senate. From 1999 until his retirement, Harradine alone held this title.
Harradine was a particularly important figure in the Senate between 1994 and 1999. (See Australian Senate for the Senate numbers). Between December 1994 and March 1996, the makeup of the Senate meant that Harradine's vote combined with that of Labor and the Australian Democrats
was just enough to pass Labor government legislation, making his support extremely valuable to either side of politics. Then after the March 1996 elections, and the resignation from the Labor party by Mal Colston
, Harradine's and Colston's votes were sufficient to pass Coalition legislation, notably the Native Title Amendment Act 1998
(also known as the "Wik 10 Point Plan"), and the partial privatisation of Telstra
. After 1 July 1999, the Coalition needed 4 extra votes to pass Senate legislation, so Harradine's vote became less important.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
, was an independent member of the Australian Senate
Australian Senate
The Senate is the upper house of the bicameral Parliament of Australia, the lower house being the House of Representatives. Senators are popularly elected under a system of proportional representation. Senators are elected for a term that is usually six years; after a double dissolution, however,...
from 1975 to 2005, representing the state of Tasmania
Tasmania
Tasmania is an Australian island and state. It is south of the continent, separated by Bass Strait. The state includes the island of Tasmania—the 26th largest island in the world—and the surrounding islands. The state has a population of 507,626 , of whom almost half reside in the greater Hobart...
. He was the longest-serving independent federal politician in Australian history, and a Father of the Senate.
He was born in Quorn
Quorn, South Australia
Quorn is a township and railhead in the Flinders Ranges in the north of South Australia, 39 km northeast of Port Augusta. At the 2006 census, Quorn had a population of 1068.Quorn is the home of the Flinders Ranges Council local government area...
, South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
before moving to Tasmania in 1959. Harradine worked as an official for the Federated Clerks Union and then went on to serve as Secretary General of the Tasmanian Trades and Labour Council between 1964 and 1976 and by virtue of this position, a member of the executive of the Australian Council of Trade Unions
Australian Council of Trade Unions
The Australian Council of Trade Unions is the largest peak body representing workers in Australia. It is a national trade union centre of 46 affiliated unions.-History:The ACTU was formed in 1927 as the "Australian Council of Trade Unions"...
. While a member of the Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
, Harradine's social conservative politics driven by his Roman Catholic background made him a prime target for accusations of sympathy for the Democratic Labor Party. His own accusation, in 1968, that 'friends of communists' were out to get him led to a bitter fight. He was expelled from the ALP by the Federal Executive.
Even though the move to expel Harradine from the Federal Executive was successful ALP leader Gough Whitlam risked his own leadership when he tried to save Harradine from expulsion resulting in him narrowly defeating a leadership challenge from Jim Cairns.
He decided to contest the 1975 election
Australian federal election, 1975
Federal elections were held in Australia on 13 December 1975. All 127 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 64 seats in the Senate were up for election following a double dissolution of both Houses....
as an independent for the Senate and won comfortably. Harradine then went on to continuously hold a Senate seat until deciding not to contest the 2004 election. His term expired on 30 June 2005.
From 1993 to 1999, Brian Harradine and Mal Colston
Mal Colston
Malcolm Arthur "Mal" Colston , Australian politician, was a Senator in the Parliament of Australia representing the state of Queensland between 1975 and 1999...
were joint Fathers of the Senate. From 1999 until his retirement, Harradine alone held this title.
Harradine was a particularly important figure in the Senate between 1994 and 1999. (See Australian Senate for the Senate numbers). Between December 1994 and March 1996, the makeup of the Senate meant that Harradine's vote combined with that of Labor and the Australian Democrats
Australian Democrats
The Australian Democrats is an Australian political party espousing a socially liberal ideology. It was formed in 1977, by a merger of the Australia Party and the New LM, after principals of those minor parties secured the commitment of former Liberal minister Don Chipp, as a high profile leader...
was just enough to pass Labor government legislation, making his support extremely valuable to either side of politics. Then after the March 1996 elections, and the resignation from the Labor party by Mal Colston
Mal Colston
Malcolm Arthur "Mal" Colston , Australian politician, was a Senator in the Parliament of Australia representing the state of Queensland between 1975 and 1999...
, Harradine's and Colston's votes were sufficient to pass Coalition legislation, notably the Native Title Amendment Act 1998
Native Title Amendment Act 1998
The Native Title Amendment Act 1998 , also commonly referred to as the "10 Point Plan" is an Australian law created by the John Howard led Liberal government in response to the 1996 Wik Decision by the High Court of Australia...
(also known as the "Wik 10 Point Plan"), and the partial privatisation of Telstra
Telstra
Telstra Corporation Limited is an Australian telecommunications and media company, building and operating telecommunications networks and marketing voice, mobile, internet access and pay television products and services....
. After 1 July 1999, the Coalition needed 4 extra votes to pass Senate legislation, so Harradine's vote became less important.