Angus Bethune (politician)

Infobox Officeholder
honorific-prefix = Sir
name = Angus Bethune
honorific-suffix =


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small

caption =
order = 33rd
office = Premier of Tasmania
term_start = 26 May 1969
term_end = 3 May 1972
deputy = Kevin Lyons
predecessor = Eric Reece
successor = Eric Reece
constituency =
majority =
birth_date = birth date|1908|9|10|df=y
birth_place = Sheffield, Tasmania, Australia
death_date = death date and age|2004|8|22|1908|9|10|df=y
death_place = Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
nationality = flagicon|Australia Australian
party = Liberal Party of Australia
spouse =
relations =
children =
residence =
alma_mater =
occupation =
profession =
net worth =
religion =


website =
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Sir Walter Angus Bethune (10 September 1908 – 22 August 2004) was an Australian politician and member of the Tasmanian House of Assembly. He was Premier of Tasmania from 26 May 1969 to 3 May 1972.

Early life

Bethune was born in Sheffield in north-western Tasmania, and was educated at Launceston Grammar School and The Hutchins School in Hobart. [http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2004/08/23/1183241.htm Former Tasmanian premier Sir Angus Bethune dies] , Australian Broadcasting Corporation, 23 August 2004.] Before entering politics, Bethune worked as a jackaroo.Pearce, Garney: [http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/tas/content/2003/s1186815.htm Bethune Memorial] , "Stateline" (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), 27 August 2004.] On 15 August 1940, during World War II, he enlisted as an airman and Warrant Officer in the Royal Australian Air Force. [ [http://www.ww2roll.gov.au/script/veteran.asp?ServiceID=R&VeteranID=1012830 RAAF: BETHUNE, WALTER ANGUS] , World War II Nominal Roll (Australian Government).]

Political career

Bethune was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly at the 1946 general election on 23 November 1946, representing the seat of Wilmot (now Lyons) for the newly-formed Liberal Party of Australia. On 19 March 1960, Bethune became Leader of the Opposition when the leader of the Liberal Party, William Jackson resigned in protest at party disunity and a lack of support for his leadership. [George C. Wade, [http://www.adb.online.anu.edu.au/biogs/A140621b.htm Jackson, William (Tim) (1907 - 1975)] , "Australian Dictionary of Biography", Volume 14, Melbourne University Press, 1996, pp 547-548.]

On 7 September 1966, Kevin Lyons (the son of former Premier and Prime Minister Joseph Lyons) resigned from the state Liberal Party after a dispute over preselection, and on 15 October formed the Centre Party. [ [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/php/Almanac.htm On This Day: A Tasmanian Political Almanac] , Parliament of Tasmania.] In 1969, Lyons held the balance of power, and offered his support to Bethune to form government with himself as Deputy Premier. Bethune accepted, and Labor Premier Eric Reece was deposed, making Bethune Tasmania's first Liberal Premier and Treasurer.

During his term as Premier, Bethune introduced a number of important initiatives, although he had pledged to avoid "revolutionary changes". Bethune's government introduced random breath tests to prevent drink driving, made the wearing of seatbelts compulsory, set up the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service, built more schools and tightened state finances.

Bethune was instrumental in the establishment of a Hansard service for the Tasmanian parliament, although he was no longer Premier by the time the system was introduced. Kevin Lyons had lost a vote to introduce Hansard in 1960, and with the Bethune-Lyons coalition in power in 1969, Bethune sought a report into the feasibility of such a transcription service. The report was not completed until 1973, but Hansard was considered by Bethune's successors Eric Reece and Doug Lowe until finally being implemented in 1979. [ [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/tpl/Backg/Hansard.htm Background: Hansard] , Parliament of Tasmania, July 2005.]

In 1972, Kevin Lyons dissolved the coalition between the Centre and Liberal parties, and was highly critical of Bethune. Bethune was forced to the polls, and the instability in his government saw him lose power in the election to Eric Reece, who returned as Premier.

After politics

Bethune retired from politics on 30 June 1975, and later joined forces with his former rival, Eric Reece, to back the Franklin Dam which they both supported.

Sir Angus died after a short illness on 22 August 2004 in Hobart, aged 95. He was accorded a state funeral which was held on 27 August.

Honours

Bethune was made Knight Bachelor on 16 June 1979 in recognition of service to the Federal Parliament. [ [http://itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1083693&search_type=quick&showInd=true BETHUNE, Walter Angus] , "It's an Honour" (Australian Government).] He was also awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001.

References

External links

* [http://www.parliament.tas.gov.au/history/tasparl/bethunew480.htm Parliamentary Library profile]