Kep Enderby
Encyclopedia
Keppel Earl "Kep" Enderby QC
(born 25 June 1926) is a former Australian politician and retired judge. Enderby was a member of the House of Representatives
, representing the Australian Labor Party
between 1970 and 1975, and became a senior cabinet
minister in the Gough Whitlam
government. After politics, he was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
.
in 1944 and 1945. He studied law at the University of Sydney
from 1946 to 1950 and was admitted to the New South Wales bar in 1950. From 1950 to 1954 he worked as a barrister
in London and studied at the University of London
. He also played golf in the British Amateur
and Open
championships in 1951 and 1952.
He returned to New South Wales in 1955 and practised law and lectured at Sydney Technical College
. Enderby was active with Ken Buckley in the foundation of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties in the 1950s and '60s. In 1962 he became a lecturer in law at the Australian National University
in Canberra
. In 1966, he began practising law in Canberra while continuing to teach part-time. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel
(QC) in 1973.
(ALP) pre-selection for the Division of Australian Capital Territory
(ACT) and was subsequently elected to the House of Representatives
at a by-election following Jim Fraser
's death in April 1970. As the Federal member for the ACT, Kep Enderby was involved in Parliamentary debate over the 1971 Canberra flood
. Following Whitlam
's victory at the 1972 election
, Enderby was appointed as the first Minister for the Capital Territory
and the first Minister for the Northern Territory
in the December 1972 ministry
, replacing the former portfolio of the Interior
. In October 1973, he lost these posts, partly because his ACT porfolio made him responsible for implementing policies that were unpopular in his electorate. Instead, he became Minister for Secondary Industry
and Minister for Supply
. Enderby became the last Minister for Supply—a portfolio which had been established at the beginning of World War II and included responsibility for government munitions factories—when Supply and Secondary Industry were merged into the Manufacturing Industry portfolio in the June 1974 ministry
. It was during this time that he made what has become his most famous utterance: "Traditionally, most of Australia's imports come from overseas."
In February 1975, following Lionel Murphy
's appointment to the High Court of Australia
, Enderby became Attorney-General
and Minister for Customs and Excise
. One of his first actions was to introduce a bill to decriminalize abortion
and homosexuality the Australian Capital Territory. The Customs and Excise porfolio was renamed Police and Customs in March 1975, reflecting the government's decision to establish the Australia Police
. The Police and Customs portfolio was reassigned to Jim Cavanagh in June 1975.
Enderby was elected to the new seat of Canberra
at the 1974 election
, but was one of many Labor members to lose their seats in the landslide 1975 election
defeat that followed the dismissal of the Whitlam Government .
.
In 1997 he was appointed head of the Serious Offenders Review Council, during which time he said that up to 80 per cent of the nation's prisoners should not be behind bars. In June 2000, the NSW Government decided not to re-appoint him when his term expired, but said the move was not related to his outspoken views.
Enderby has held a number of community positions throughout his career, including presiding over the regional society for voluntary euthanasia
. Additionally, after learning Esperanto
in 1987, Enderby became involved in Esperanto organisations, including serving as President of the Australian Esperanto Association
from 1992 to 1997, as a committee member of the World Esperanto Association
from 1992 to 2004, as President of the Esperanto Law Association from 1996 to 2002 and from 1998 to 2001 as President of the World Esperanto Association
.
In English
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(born 25 June 1926) is a former Australian politician and retired judge. Enderby was a member of the House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
, representing 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...
between 1970 and 1975, and became a senior cabinet
Cabinet of Australia
The Cabinet of Australia is the council of senior ministers of the Crown, responsible to parliament. The Cabinet is appointed by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister the Head of Her Majesty's Australian Government, and serves at the former's pleasure. The strictly private...
minister in the Gough Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
government. After politics, he was appointed a Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
Supreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
.
Early years
Enderby was born in Dubbo, New South Wales and educated at Dubbo High School. He was a trainee pilot in the Royal Australian Air ForceRoyal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
in 1944 and 1945. He studied law at the University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
from 1946 to 1950 and was admitted to the New South Wales bar in 1950. From 1950 to 1954 he worked as a barrister
Barrister
A barrister is a member of one of the two classes of lawyer found in many common law jurisdictions with split legal professions. Barristers specialise in courtroom advocacy, drafting legal pleadings and giving expert legal opinions...
in London and studied at the University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. He also played golf in the British Amateur
The Amateur Championship
The Amateur Championship is a golf tournament which is held annually in the United Kingdom. It is one of the two leading individual tournaments for amateur golfers, alongside the U.S. Amateur...
and Open
The Open Championship
The Open Championship, or simply The Open , is the oldest of the four major championships in professional golf. It is the only "major" held outside the USA and is administered by The R&A, which is the governing body of golf outside the USA and Mexico...
championships in 1951 and 1952.
He returned to New South Wales in 1955 and practised law and lectured at Sydney Technical College
Sydney Technical College
The Sydney Technical College was a name used by Australia's oldest technical education institution.It began as the Sydney Mechanics' Institute in 1843...
. Enderby was active with Ken Buckley in the foundation of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties in the 1950s and '60s. In 1962 he became a lecturer in law at 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...
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...
. In 1966, he began practising law in Canberra while continuing to teach part-time. He was appointed a Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(QC) in 1973.
Political career
In 1970 Enderby gained Australian Labor PartyAustralian 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...
(ALP) pre-selection for the Division of Australian Capital Territory
Division of Australian Capital Territory
The Division of Australian Capital Territory was an Australian electoral division in the Territory of the same name. The division was created in 1949 and included the whole of the city of Canberra and surrounding rural areas....
(ACT) and was subsequently elected to the House of Representatives
Australian House of Representatives
The House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the Parliament of Australia; it is the lower house; the upper house is the Senate. Members of Parliament serve for terms of approximately three years....
at a by-election following Jim Fraser
Jim Fraser
James Reay Fraser was a Member of the Australian House of Representatives for the Australian Capital Territory from 1951 to 1970....
's death in April 1970. As the Federal member for the ACT, Kep Enderby was involved in Parliamentary debate over the 1971 Canberra flood
1971 Canberra flood
The 1971 Canberra flood was a flash flood that occurred on Australia Day, 26 January 1971, in the Woden Valley of Canberra, Australia. The flood killed seven people including four children, injured 15 and affected 500 people. The insurance damage was estimated at A$ 9 million. It was estimated that...
. Following Whitlam
Gough Whitlam
Edward Gough Whitlam, AC, QC , known as Gough Whitlam , served as the 21st Prime Minister of Australia. Whitlam led the Australian Labor Party to power at the 1972 election and retained government at the 1974 election, before being dismissed by Governor-General Sir John Kerr at the climax of the...
's victory at the 1972 election
Australian federal election, 1972
Federal elections were held in Australia on 2 December 1972. All 125 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election. The Liberal Party of Australia had been in power since 1949, under Prime Minister of Australia William McMahon since March 1971 with coalition partner the Country Party...
, Enderby was appointed as the first Minister for the Capital Territory
Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been Brendan O'Connor since 6 June 2009. The Home Affairs portfolio brings together agencies such as the Australian Customs Service , the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, which were previously the...
and the first Minister for the Northern Territory
Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been Brendan O'Connor since 6 June 2009. The Home Affairs portfolio brings together agencies such as the Australian Customs Service , the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, which were previously the...
in the December 1972 ministry
Second Whitlam Ministry
The Second Whitlam Ministry was the forty-ninth Australian Commonwealth ministry, and ran from 19 December 1972 to 12 June 1974.Australian Labor Party*Hon Gough Whitlam, QC MP: Prime Minister. Minister for Foreign Affairs...
, replacing the former portfolio of the Interior
Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been Brendan O'Connor since 6 June 2009. The Home Affairs portfolio brings together agencies such as the Australian Customs Service , the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, which were previously the...
. In October 1973, he lost these posts, partly because his ACT porfolio made him responsible for implementing policies that were unpopular in his electorate. Instead, he became Minister for Secondary 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 for Supply
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:...
. Enderby became the last Minister for Supply—a portfolio which had been established at the beginning of World War II and included responsibility for government munitions factories—when Supply and Secondary Industry were merged into the Manufacturing Industry portfolio in the June 1974 ministry
Third Whitlam Ministry
The Third Whitlam Ministry was the fiftieth Australian Commonwealth ministry, and ran from 12 June 1974 to 11 November 1975. It was dismissed in the 1975 Australian constitutional crisis.Australian Labor Party...
. It was during this time that he made what has become his most famous utterance: "Traditionally, most of Australia's imports come from overseas."
In February 1975, following Lionel Murphy
Lionel Murphy
Lionel Keith Murphy, QC was an Australian politician and jurist who served as Attorney-General in the government of Gough Whitlam and as a Justice of the High Court of Australia from 1975 until his death.- Personal life :...
's appointment to the High Court of Australia
High Court of Australia
The High Court of Australia is the supreme court in the Australian court hierarchy and the final court of appeal in Australia. It has both original and appellate jurisdiction, has the power of judicial review over laws passed by the Parliament of Australia and the parliaments of the States, and...
, Enderby became Attorney-General
Attorney-General of Australia
The Attorney-General of Australia is the first law officer of the Crown, chief law officer of the Commonwealth of Australia and a minister of the Crown. The Attorney-General is usually a member of the Federal Cabinet, but there is no constitutional requirement that this be the case since the...
and Minister for Customs and Excise
Minister for Home Affairs (Australia)
The Australian Minister for Home Affairs has been Brendan O'Connor since 6 June 2009. The Home Affairs portfolio brings together agencies such as the Australian Customs Service , the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, which were previously the...
. One of his first actions was to introduce a bill to decriminalize abortion
Abortion
Abortion is defined as the termination of pregnancy by the removal or expulsion from the uterus of a fetus or embryo prior to viability. An abortion can occur spontaneously, in which case it is usually called a miscarriage, or it can be purposely induced...
and homosexuality the Australian Capital Territory. The Customs and Excise porfolio was renamed Police and Customs in March 1975, reflecting the government's decision to establish the Australia Police
Commonwealth Police
The name Commonwealth Police was used by three separate policing organisations in Australia at various times in the 20th century.-Commonwealth Police Force :...
. The Police and Customs portfolio was reassigned to Jim Cavanagh in June 1975.
Enderby was elected to the new seat of Canberra
Division of Canberra
The Division of Canberra is an Australian Electoral Division in the Australian Capital Territory. The division was created in 1974 from the southern half of the old Division of Australian Capital Territory...
at the 1974 election
Australian federal election, 1974
Federal elections were held in Australia on 18 May 1974. All 127 seats in the House of Representatives, and all 60 seats in the Senate were up for election, due to a double dissolution...
, but was one of many Labor members to lose their seats in the landslide 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....
defeat that followed the dismissal of the Whitlam Government .
After politics
Enderby moved to Sydney and returned to the bar, where he practised as a barrister. From 1982 until his retirement in 1992 he was the judge of the Supreme Court of New South WalesSupreme Court of New South Wales
The Supreme Court of New South Wales is the highest state court of the Australian State of New South Wales...
.
In 1997 he was appointed head of the Serious Offenders Review Council, during which time he said that up to 80 per cent of the nation's prisoners should not be behind bars. In June 2000, the NSW Government decided not to re-appoint him when his term expired, but said the move was not related to his outspoken views.
Enderby has held a number of community positions throughout his career, including presiding over the regional society for voluntary euthanasia
Voluntary euthanasia
Voluntary euthanasia refers to the practice of ending a life in a painless manner...
. Additionally, after learning Esperanto
Esperanto
is the most widely spoken constructed international auxiliary language. Its name derives from Doktoro Esperanto , the pseudonym under which L. L. Zamenhof published the first book detailing Esperanto, the Unua Libro, in 1887...
in 1987, Enderby became involved in Esperanto organisations, including serving as President of the Australian Esperanto Association
Australian Esperanto Association
-Summer School:The Australian Esperanto Association hosts a summer school of the international auxiliary language Esperanto for one or two weeks each year. Classes are arranged for beginners, intermediate, and fluent speakers of the language...
from 1992 to 1997, as a committee member of the World Esperanto Association
World Esperanto Association
The World Esperanto Association is the largest international organization of Esperanto speakers, with members in 121 countries and in official relations with the United Nations and UNESCO. In addition to individual members, 70 national Esperanto organizations are affiliated to UEA...
from 1992 to 2004, as President of the Esperanto Law Association from 1996 to 2002 and from 1998 to 2001 as President of the World Esperanto Association
President of the World Esperanto Association
The President of the World Esperanto Association is the elected leader of the World Esperanto Association and is chief executive of the UEA steering committee .-History:...
.
External links
In Esperanto- Cxu zamenhofa maljusteco? (An injustice to Zamenhof?)
In English
- Barriers to Reform – The Politics of Opposition, speech in the John CurtinJohn CurtinJohn 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...
Memorial, 1975