Gordon Bryant

The Honourable Gordon Bryant
Member of the Australian Parliament for Wills
In office 10 December 1955 – 19 September 1980
Preceded by	Bill Bryson
Succeeded by	Bob Hawke
Personal details
Born	3 August 1914(1914-08-03) Lismore, Victoria
Died	14 January 1991(1991-01-14) (aged 76)
Nationality	Australian
Political party	Australian Labor Party
Spouse(s)	Pat
Alma mater	University of Melbourne
Occupation	Teacher

Gordon Munro Bryant (3 August 1914 – 14 January 1991) was an Australian politician. A member of the Australian Labor Party, he represented the Division of Wills from 1955 until his retirement in 1980.

Bryant was born in Lismore, Victoria, and educated at Frankston High School, Melbourne Teachers' College and Melbourne University. He worked as a high teacher and served in the Australian Army and later the Citizens' Military Force before entering Parliament in 1955. A passionate supporter of land rights, Bryant was President of the Aborigines Advancement League for seven years, from 1957 to 1964.

After seventeen years in Parliament, Bryant joined the Cabinet of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, becoming Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in 1972. A year later he became Minister for the Capital Territory. As Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, he was instrumental in the Whitlam Government's historic land rights deal with Vincent Lingiari and the Gurindji people. Bryant retired in 1980, and his electorate was taken over by future Prime Minister Bob Hawke. After retirement, he worked as Secretary of the Association of Former Members of the Parliament of Australia.

He is survived by his wife, Pat, and two sons, Robin and Linton.

References

• Australian House of Representatives HANSARD, "DEATH OF HON. G.M. BRYANT, E.D.", 1991-02-12 (excerpt available online).
• "PM lent hand to land rights", Karen Middleton, The West Australian, 2004-01-01.

Political offices
Preceded by Peter Howson	Minister for Aboriginal Affairs 1972–1973	Succeeded by Jim Cavanagh
Preceded by Kep Enderby	Minister for the Capital Territory 1973–1975	Succeeded by Reg Withers
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Bill Bryson	Member for Wills 1955–1980	Succeeded by Bob Hawke

Persondata
Name	Bryant, Gordon
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	3 August 1914
Place of birth	Lismore, Victoria
Date of death	14 January 1991
Place of death