Alfred James Jones
Alfred James Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Gayndah, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | 7 October 1945 (aged 74) |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1904–1940 |
| Known for | Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, Member of the Queensland Legislative Council, Lord Mayor of Brisbane |
Alfred James Jones (4 October 1871 – 7 October 1945) was an Australian public figure who held positions as a Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, a Member of the Queensland Legislative Council, and also served as Lord Mayor of Brisbane.
Early life
Jones was born in Gayndah, Queensland to parents Joseph Jones and Ann (née Stevens). He attended Burnett State School for his primary education. His early career included roles as a stockman, miner, teacher, and driver for Cobb & Co, with six years dedicated to mining work.
On 1 May 1895, Jones married Martha Elizabeth Leggett in Gayndah. Together, they raised a family of ten children, comprising five sons and five daughters.
Queensland Legislative Assembly
Representing the Labor Party, Jones vied for four seats in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, successfully securing three. In the 1904 contest for the Burnett seat, he achieved 68% of the vote but lost the seat after one term and was unsuccessful in reclaiming it during the 1912 election.
In the 1915 election, Jones captured the Maryborough seat with approximately 56% support. He stepped down on 14 February 1917 to accept an appointment to the upper chamber, the Queensland Legislative Council.
Queensland Legislative Council
Jones was appointed to the Council on 14 February 1917, where he acted as a Government representative and held the portfolio of Minister for Mines. He resigned on 16 September 1920 to contest the lower house electorate of Carnarvon in the 1920 but did not win. Subsequently, he returned to the Council on 21 October 1920.
He played a leading role in advocating for and ultimately achieving the abolition of the Queensland Legislative Council in 1921, which was formally dissolved on 3 March 1922.
Return to Queensland Legislative Assembly
In 1922, Jones was elected to represent Paddington, maintaining this seat until its dissolution in 1932 due to electoral redistribution. Throughout most of the period from 1917 to 1929, he served as Secretary for Mines.
On 28 March 1925, Jones officiated at the opening ceremony of the Windera railway line, connecting Barlil to Windera within the Burnett district.
Lord Mayor
Jones held office as Lord Mayor of Brisbane from 1934 until 1940, during which time he championed the Greater Brisbane expansion initiative through substantial municipal borrowing.
1934 Election
Following the restoration of universal suffrage for elections to the Brisbane City Council, Alfred Jones and his Labor Party team achieved a commanding victory by winning 14 out of 20 wards and reinstating a mayor elected by popular vote.
1937 Election
In the subsequent 1937 election, independent Alderman Harry Massey stood as the conservative candidate representing the Citizens' Municipal Organisation (CMO). Jones secured another decisive win with an increased majority. The CMO gained two wards compared to Labor’s gain of one, resulting in a net increase of one ward for their side.
1940 Election
Facing accusations related to corruption and administrative inefficiency, Jones and his Labor administration experienced a major setback in 1940, losing the mayoral position to John Beals Chandler.
Later years
Jones passed away at Brisbane General Hospital on 7 October 1945. His funeral service took place at St John's Cathedral, after which he was cremated at Mt Thompson Crematorium.
Street naming
Within Carina Heights, Queensland, multiple streets are named after past members of the Queensland Legislative Assembly, among them Jones Road.