Charley Aylett
Charley Aylett | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 October 1913 Waratah, Tasmania, Australia |
| Died | 11 September 1966 (aged 52) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, publican |
| Years active | 1946–1964 |
| Known for | Speaker of the Tasmanian House of Assembly (1959–1964) |
Charley Bischoff "Tinny" Aylett (5 October 1913 – 11 September 1966) was an Australian political figure who represented constituents in the Tasmanian House of Assembly between 1946 and 1964. He held the position of Speaker from 1959 until 1964. Alongside his legislative duties, he managed a pub located in Hobart.
Aylett was born in Waratah, Tasmania and was one of twelve siblings; his elder brother, Bill Aylett, served as a senator. In 1946, he secured election as a Labor representative for the electoral division of Darwin. He entered the cabinet in December 1947 as Minister for Housing but stepped down in April 1949 after a select committee concluded that he had provided misleading information to parliament concerning materials related to the State Housing Authority. Besides politics, Aylett was an accomplished field hockey athlete, representing Tasmania at the national level in 1952.
After resigning from the ministry, he assumed the role of Chair of Committees from 1950 through 1955. In 1959, having obtained a pub licence in Hobart, he transferred to the seat of Denison and was appointed Speaker. In 1961, Opposition Leader Angus Bethune introduced a no-confidence motion against him based on accusations tied to the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, which included allegations that Aylett hosted an "alcoholic party" at Parliament House and was intoxicated while chairing sessions. Aylett refuted these charges and successfully withstood the motion.
In March 1962, he received a £30 fine for selling alcohol during restricted hours at his establishment. These incidents prompted pressure from the ALP caucus for his resignation, which he declined. By December 1963, he lost endorsement from his party ahead of the 1964 election, briefly continued as Speaker, then sat as an independent before losing his parliamentary seat. He passed away in 1966 at Double Creek.