- Ben Humphreys
Benjamin Charles Humphreys AM (born
17 August 1934 ), Australian politician, is a formerAustralian Labor Party member of theAustralian House of Representatives representing theDivision of Griffith ,Queensland from 1977 to 1996.Humphreys served a six year term as Minister for Veterans' Affairs in the ministries of
Bob Hawke andPaul Keating . In December 1991, that ministry was promoted to Cabinet, and the next year Humphreys also took over the duties of Minister assisting the Prime Minister for Northern Australia from Senator Bob Collins.After 18 years in parliament, Humphreys intended to leave politics in 1995, but delayed his retirement until
29 January 1996 when the man he considered his ideal successor was ready to stand for preselection for Griffith –Kevin Rudd , later to become leader of the ALP and Prime Minister of Australia, lost the election to Liberal candidateGraeme McDougall but later won the seat in 1998. [Gordon, Michael: [http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/04/17/1050172703137.html "One determined bastard"] , "The Age ",19 April 2003 .]Humphreys was known for his close contact with Australia's South Pacific neighbours, and in August 2001 he was part of a Commonwealth Observer Group sent to oversee the 2001 election in Fiji. [Media Release: [http://www.dfat.gov.au/media/releases/foreign/2001/fa129_01.html Australia Welcomes Commencement of Fiji Elections] ,
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia) ,24 August 2001 .]Honours
*
26 January 2000 : Member of the Order of Australia for service to the Federal Parliament, particularly in the area of veterans' affairs. [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1129696&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] , Australian Government.]
*1 January 2001 :Centenary Medal for distinguished service to the Commonwealth Parliament and politics [ [http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1119304&search_type=quick&showInd=true It's an Honour] , Australian Government.]References
Persondata
NAME=Humphreys, Ben
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Humphreys, Benjamin Charles
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Australian politician
DATE OF BIRTH=17 August 1934
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=living
PLACE OF DEATH=
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