John Dedman
Encyclopedia
John Dedman was a Minister in the Australian Labor Party
governments led by John Curtin
and Ben Chifley
. He was responsible for organising production during World War II
, establishing the Australian National University
, reorganising the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
(CSIRO) and developing the Snowy Mountains Scheme
. Dedman represented the Federal seat of Corio
, centred on Geelong between 1940 and 1949.
, Wigtownshire
, Scotland
. He was educated by his father at village schools and Ewart Boys' High School, Newton Stewart. He enrolled in science at the University of Edinburgh
in 1914, but was commissioned in 1915 as an officer in the British Army in World War I
and fought at Gallipoli
, Egypt
and France
. He then joined the British Indian Army and fought in Afghanistan
and Iraq. In 1922 he resigned and travelled to Australia, where he bought a dairy farm near Launching Place
with a friend from school, Walter McEwen
. In 1925, he married McEwen's sister, Jessie Lawson.
candidate for Upper Yarra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly
. However, the Country Party helped defeat a bill to establish a milk board in the Legislative Council
and, as a result, he joined the Labor Party. Between 1932 and 1934, he unsuccessfully contested one federal and two state seats. He was a councillor on Upper Yarra Shire Council
from 1926 to 1939 and its president in 1931 and 1937. In 1938, he studied Keynesian economics
at the University of Melbourne
.
Dedman won Corio
at a by-election in March 1940. In October 1941, he was appointed Minister for War Organisation of Industry
and Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
in the Curtin government
and he became a member of the War Cabinet in December 1941. His chief responsibility was to organise production to support the war effort
and he became known as the minister for "austerity". At the end of World War II
, he became Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Minister for Postwar Reconstruction
in the Chifley government
, where he was responsible for promoting full-employment, retraining ex-service personnel and attempting to rebuild the national economy. In particular he had carriage for preparing the White Paper on Full Employment in Australia
, establishing the Commonwealth and State Housing Agreement,, the Snowy Mountains Scheme
the Joint Coal Board, the Universities Commission and the Australian National University
. From November 1946, Dedman was also Minister for Defence
. He narrowly lost Corio
to Hubert Opperman
in the 1949 election
and failed to win it back in 1951
and 1954
.
From 1955 Dedman worked with the World Council of Churches
on the resettlement of refugees. He retired to Canberra
in 1962 and was appointed to the council of the Australian National University and graduated with a B.A.
, both in 1966. He died in Canberra
, survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
He was to have the John Dedman Parkway in Canberra
, Australia
named after him, but the road plans were renamed prior to completion as the Gungahlin Drive Extension
.
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...
governments led by John Curtin
John Curtin
John Joseph Curtin , Australian politician, served as the 14th Prime Minister of Australia. Labor under Curtin formed a minority government in 1941 after the crossbench consisting of two independent MPs crossed the floor in the House of Representatives, bringing down the Coalition minority...
and Ben Chifley
Ben Chifley
Joseph Benedict Chifley , Australian politician, was the 16th Prime Minister of Australia. He took over the Australian Labor Party leadership and Prime Ministership after the death of John Curtin in 1945, and went on to retain government at the 1946 election, before being defeated at the 1949...
. He was responsible for organising production during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, establishing the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
, reorganising the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation
The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation is the national government body for scientific research in Australia...
(CSIRO) and developing the Snowy Mountains Scheme
Snowy Mountains Scheme
The Snowy Mountains scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in south-east Australia. It consists of sixteen major dams; seven power stations; a pumping station; and 225 kilometres of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts and was constructed between 1949 and 1974. The Chief engineer was Sir...
. Dedman represented the Federal seat of Corio
Division of Corio
The Division of Corio is an Australian Electoral Division in Victoria. The division one of the original 75 divisions contested at the first federal election. It is named for Corio Bay. It has always been based on the city of Geelong, although in the past it has also included parts of the western...
, centred on Geelong between 1940 and 1949.
Early life
Dedman was born in Knowe, northwest of Newton StewartNewton Stewart
Newton Stewart is a burgh town in the south of Scotland in the west of the region of Dumfries and Galloway and in the county of Wigtownshire....
, Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire
Wigtownshire or the County of Wigtown is a registration county in the Southern Uplands of south west Scotland. Until 1975, the county was one of the administrative counties used for local government purposes, and is now administered as part of the council area of Dumfries and Galloway...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He was educated by his father at village schools and Ewart Boys' High School, Newton Stewart. He enrolled in science at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
in 1914, but was commissioned in 1915 as an officer in the British Army in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and fought at Gallipoli
Battle of Gallipoli
The Gallipoli Campaign, also known as the Dardanelles Campaign or the Battle of Gallipoli, took place at the peninsula of Gallipoli in the Ottoman Empire between 25 April 1915 and 9 January 1916, during the First World War...
, Egypt
Sinai and Palestine Campaign
The Sinai and Palestine Campaigns took place in the Middle Eastern Theatre of World War I. A series of battles were fought between British Empire, German Empire and Ottoman Empire forces from 26 January 1915 to 31 October 1918, when the Armistice of Mudros was signed between the Ottoman Empire and...
and France
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
. He then joined the British Indian Army and fought in Afghanistan
European influence in Afghanistan
The European influence in Afghanistan refers to political, social, and sometimes imperialistic influence several European nations have had on this historical development of Afghanistan.-Rise of Dost Mohammad Khan:...
and Iraq. In 1922 he resigned and travelled to Australia, where he bought a dairy farm near Launching Place
Launching Place, Victoria
Launching Place is a town in Victoria, Australia, 54 km east from Melbourne's central business district. Its Local Government Area is the Shire of Yarra Ranges...
with a friend from school, Walter McEwen
Walter McEwen
Walter McEwen is a lawyer and former Canadian politician, who served in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1989 to 1996....
. In 1925, he married McEwen's sister, Jessie Lawson.
Political career
In 1927 Dedman stood unsuccessfully as the Country PartyNational Party of Australia
The National Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Traditionally representing graziers, farmers and rural voters generally, it began as the The Country Party, but adopted the name The National Country Party in 1975, changed to The National Party of Australia in 1982. The party is...
candidate for Upper Yarra in the Victorian Legislative Assembly
Victorian Legislative Assembly
The Victorian Legislative Assembly is the lower house of the Parliament of Victoria in Australia. Together with the Victorian Legislative Council, the upper house, it sits in Parliament House in the state capital, Melbourne.-History:...
. However, the Country Party helped defeat a bill to establish a milk board in the Legislative Council
Victorian Legislative Council
The Victorian Legislative Council, is the upper of the two houses of the Parliament of Victoria, Australia; the lower house being the Legislative Assembly. Both houses sit in Parliament House in Spring Street, Melbourne. The Legislative Council serves as a house of review, in a similar fashion to...
and, as a result, he joined the Labor Party. Between 1932 and 1934, he unsuccessfully contested one federal and two state seats. He was a councillor on Upper Yarra Shire Council
Shire of Yarra Ranges
The Yarra Ranges Shire is a Local Government Area in Victoria, Australia, located in the outer eastern and northeastern suburbs of Melbourne extending into the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges...
from 1926 to 1939 and its president in 1931 and 1937. In 1938, he studied Keynesian economics
John Maynard Keynes
John Maynard Keynes, Baron Keynes of Tilton, CB FBA , was a British economist whose ideas have profoundly affected the theory and practice of modern macroeconomics, as well as the economic policies of governments...
at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
.
Dedman won Corio
Corio
Corio may refer to*Corio, Victoria*Division of Corio*Corio, Piedmont, a commune in the province of Turin, northern Italy*Corio, a Dutch real property company...
at a by-election in March 1940. In October 1941, he was appointed Minister for War Organisation of Industry
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Australia)
The current Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is Kim Carr, appointed on 3 December 2007. He administers his portfolio through the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.-List of Ministers for Industry :...
and Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (Australia)
The current Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research is Kim Carr, appointed on 3 December 2007. He administers his portfolio through the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research.-List of Ministers for Industry :...
in the Curtin government
First Curtin Ministry
The First Curtin Ministry was the thirtieth Australian Commonwealth ministry, and held office from 7 October 1941 to 21 September 1943.Australian Labor Party...
and he became a member of the War Cabinet in December 1941. His chief responsibility was to organise production to support the war effort
Military history of Australia during World War II
Australia entered World War II shortly after the invasion of Poland, declaring war on Germany on 3 September 1939. By the end of the war, almost a million Australians had served in the armed forces, whose military units fought primarily in the European theatre, North African campaign, and...
and he became known as the minister for "austerity". At the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he became Minister in charge of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research and Minister for Postwar Reconstruction
Minister for Resources and Energy (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Resources and Energy is Martin Ferguson, appointed on 3 December 2007. The Minister administers his portfolios through the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism.-List of Ministers for Resources:...
in the Chifley government
First Chifley Ministry
The First Chifley Ministry was the thirty-third Australian Commonwealth ministry, and held office from 13 July 1945 to 1 November 1946.Australian Labor Party*Rt Hon Ben Chifley, MP: Prime Minister, Treasurer...
, where he was responsible for promoting full-employment, retraining ex-service personnel and attempting to rebuild the national economy. In particular he had carriage for preparing the White Paper on Full Employment in Australia
White Paper on Full Employment in Australia
The White Paper Full Employment in Australia was the defining document of economic policy in Australia for the 30 years between 1945 and 1975. For the first time, the Australian government accepted an obligation to guarantee full employment and to intervene as necessary to implement that guarantee...
, establishing the Commonwealth and State Housing Agreement,, the Snowy Mountains Scheme
Snowy Mountains Scheme
The Snowy Mountains scheme is a hydroelectricity and irrigation complex in south-east Australia. It consists of sixteen major dams; seven power stations; a pumping station; and 225 kilometres of tunnels, pipelines and aqueducts and was constructed between 1949 and 1974. The Chief engineer was Sir...
the Joint Coal Board, the Universities Commission and the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. From November 1946, Dedman was also Minister for Defence
Minister for Defence (Australia)
The Minister for Defence of Australia administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which comprises the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Stephen Smith is the current Minister.-Ministers for Defence:...
. He narrowly lost Corio
Corio
Corio may refer to*Corio, Victoria*Division of Corio*Corio, Piedmont, a commune in the province of Turin, northern Italy*Corio, a Dutch real property company...
to Hubert Opperman
Hubert Opperman
Sir Hubert Ferdinand Opperman, OBE , referred to as Oppy by Australian and French crowds, was an Australian cyclist and politician, whose endurance cycling feats in the 1920s and 1930s earned him international acclaim....
in the 1949 election
Australian federal election, 1949
Federal elections were held in Australia on 10 December 1949. All 121 seats in the House of Representatives, and 42 of the 60 seats in the Senate were up for election, where the single transferable vote was introduced...
and failed to win it back in 1951
Australian federal election, 1951
Federal elections were held in Australia on 28 April 1951. All 121 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 60 seats in the Senate were up for election, due to a double dissolution called after the Senate rejected the Commonwealth Bank Bill...
and 1954
Australian federal election, 1954
Federal elections were held in Australia on 29 May 1954. All 121 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election, no Senate election took place...
.
From 1955 Dedman worked with the World Council of Churches
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is a worldwide fellowship of 349 global, regional and sub-regional, national and local churches seeking unity, a common witness and Christian service. It is a Christian ecumenical organization that is based in the Ecumenical Centre in Geneva, Switzerland...
on the resettlement of refugees. He retired to Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
in 1962 and was appointed to the council of the Australian National University and graduated with a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
, both in 1966. He died in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, survived by his wife, son and two daughters.
Honours
The Australian National University awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1964 and named a building after him in 1970.He was to have the John Dedman Parkway in Canberra
Canberra
Canberra is the capital city of Australia. With a population of over 345,000, it is Australia's largest inland city and the eighth-largest city overall. The city is located at the northern end of the Australian Capital Territory , south-west of Sydney, and north-east of Melbourne...
, Australia
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...
named after him, but the road plans were renamed prior to completion as the Gungahlin Drive Extension
Gungahlin Drive Extension
The Gungahlin Drive Extension is a major road project in Canberra, Australia. It is 9 kilometres long and extended the previously existing Gungahlin Drive from the Barton Highway in the district of Gungahlin to the Glenloch Interchange to connect with Parkes Way and the Tuggeranong Parkway. The...
.