Clive Evatt

Clive Evatt QC (6 June 1900 - 15 September 1984) was an Australian politician, barrister and raconteur. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1939 until 1959. At various times he sat as a member of the Industrial Labor Party, ALP and as an independent.

Early life

Evatt was born in Maitland and was the son of a publican who died when Evatt was one year old. His elder brother was H. V. Evatt and he was the father of Elizabeth Evatt, he was educated at Fort Street Boys High School. Evatt's family prevented him from enlisting in the First AIF but allowed him to enroll in the Royal Military College, Duntroon from where he graduated as a lieutenant in 1921. However, he resigned from the army during the next year to study law at the University of Sydney. While at the university he played Rugby League for University and New South Wales. He graduated and was admitted to the New South Wales Bar in 1926. His career as a barrister advanced rapidly and he was appointed a King's Counsel in 1935. He specialized in Workers' Compensation Cases but also appeared in criminal cases, most notably in the Shark Arm case.

State parliament

In March 1939 he successfully contested the Hurstville state by-election, 1939 caused by the death of James Webb,the member for Hurstville in the Legislative Assembly. Evatt had been endorsed by the Industrial Labor Party of Bob Heffron and defeated a candidate of the Australian Labor Party (NSW) supported by Jack Lang. This and a subsequent defeat at a by-election in Waverley signaled the end of Lang's term as Leader of the Australian Labor Party in New South Wales. Lang was replaced by William McKell who led the ALP to victory at the 1941 election.

Government

Evatt served in the governments of William McKell, James McGirr and Joseph Cahill as Minister for Education (1941–1944), Minister for Tourism (1946–1947), Minister for Housing (1947–1950 and 1952–1954) and Colonial Secretary (1950–1952).

Expulsion from Labor Party

Tensions within the New South Wales branch of the Australian Labor Party leading up to the 1950s party split led to Cahill forcing Evatt from the cabinet. In 1956 he was expelled from the ALP after he voted in parliament against a caucus decision to increase tram fares. He fought the subsequent election as an independent Labor candidate but he was defeated by the endorsed ALP candidate Bill Rigby.

After leaving politics he continued to work as a barrister with a large Worker's Compensation and defamation practice.

Death

Clive Evatt died at Darlinghurst on 15 September, 1984 and was survived by his 3 children.

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by James Webb	Member for Hurstville 1939 – 1959	Succeeded by Bill Rigby

References

• "Mr Clive Evatt (1900 - 1984)". Former members of the New South Wales Parliament, 1856-2006. New South Wales Parliament. http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/members.nsf/1fb6ebed995667c2ca256ea100825164/18c9f2ec17c2b0d5ca256e2900103f05?OpenDocument. Retrieved 2009-01-12. 
• Chris Cunnen, John McLaughlin. "Mr Clive Evatt (1900 - 1984)". Australian Dictionary of Biography Online. Australian National University. http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A170363b.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-12. 

Persondata
Name	Evatt, Clive
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	6 June 1900
Place of birth
Date of death	15 September 1984
Place of death