Andrew Fisher

Australian politician, fifth Prime Minister of Australia (1862-1928)

Andrew Fisher (29 August 186222 October 1928) was the fifth Prime Minister of Australia. He was Prime Minister three times. His government helped create the Royal Australian Navy and make Australia's own paper money. When he retired he moved to London.

Rt Hon Andrew Fisher
5th Prime Minister of Australia
In office
13 November 1908 – 2 June 1909
29 April 191024 June 1913
17 September 191427 October 1915
Preceded byAlfred Deakin
Joseph Cook
Succeeded byAlfred Deakin
Joseph Cook
Billy Hughes
ConstituencyWide Bay (Queensland)
Personal details
Born(1862-08-29)29 August 1862
Crosshouse, Scotland
Died22 October 1928(1928-10-22) (aged 66)
Political partyLabor

Fisher was born in Crosshouse, Scotland, where he was educated at the Crosshouse Primary School. At the age of 10 he left school to work in the coal mines. In 1885 he moved to Australia where he worked in the coal mines at Burrum and Gympie. He was elected to the Queensland Parliament in 1892.[1] In 1901 he married Margaret Irvine. Fisher was elected in 1901 to the seat of Wide Bay in the first Australian parliament.

When Fisher was Prime Minister a number of important projects were undertaken. The Commonwealth Bank was set up, the Northern Territory of South Australia was transferred to the Commonwealth, the federal capital of Canberra was founded, and the construction of the trans-Australian railway line linking Perth to the other capital cities was begun. As well as introducing maternity allowances, Fisher acknowledged the need for greater political equality for women.

Andrew Fisher is one of Australia's most successful prime ministers because of the changes he made. He was the first prime minister to have a majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He was able to have more than 110 Acts passed into law.[1]

References change

  1. 1.0 1.1 Andrew Fisher/ Prime Facts 5. The Australian Prime Ministers Centre, Old Parliament House, Canberra.
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