George Mackay (Australian politician)
George Mackay | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age near Clermont, Queensland, Australia |
| Died | November 5, 1961 (aged 89) Gympie, Queensland, Australia |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1912–1934 |
| Known for | Member of Queensland Legislative Assembly; Member of Australian House of Representatives; Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives (1932–1934) |
George Hugh Alexander Mackay (20 March 1872 – 5 November 1961) was an Australian political figure who held positions at both the state and federal tiers. Initially, he represented the Queensland Legislative Assembly as a member of the Liberal from 1912 until 1915. Subsequently, he secured the federal seat of Division of Lilley as a Nationalist in the 1917 election. Mackay became part of the United Australia Party (UAP) in 1931 and served as Speaker of the House between 1932 and his retirement in 1934.
Early life
Born close to Clermont, Queensland, Mackay was the son of Hugh Mackay, a carpenter originally from Scotland, and Jane Baird. His education took place at public schools in Clermont and Bundaberg. In 1887, he began an apprenticeship in printing at the Peak Downs Telegram, advancing to managing editor by 1894. He married Edith Ann Heard in 1896 and later joined his sister’s bookshop and newsagency business. Mackay was active in local government, serving on Clermont Town Council starting in 1882 and holding the position of mayor from 1900 to 1902.
In 1902, he relocated to Lismore, New South Wales, where he leased a dairy farm located at McLean's Ridge. By 1905, Mackay had returned to Queensland, establishing himself in Gympie. There, he co-founded an auctioneering and real estate firm alongside Ray King. He was elected to the Gympie City Council in 1911 and later served as its mayor in 1917.
Politics
Mackay entered the Legislative Assembly of Queensland in 1912 as a representative for the electoral district of Gympie, affiliated with the Liberal party. After losing his seat in 1915, he won election to the federal parliament representing Lilley in 1917 as a member of the Nationalist party. In the Australian House of Representatives, he gained recognition for his oratory skills and his involvement with the Joint Committee on Public Works from 1920 to 1928, chairing it between 1926 and 1928. His contributions were significant in advancing projects such as the development of Canberra and the establishment of the Australian War Memorial. Mackay was known for opposing extremist factions and voiced criticism against the Country Party.
Following the transformation of the Nationalist Party into the United Australia Party in 1931, Mackay was appointed as Speaker in February 1932. He stepped down from parliament in March 1934, remarking that "one may remain in parliament too long."
Later life
After leaving politics, Mackay took on the role of president at the Gympie Bowling Club from 1936 until 1939. A committed Presbyterian and member of the Freemasons, he authored A summary of the history of the Gympie Presbyterian Church in 1952. He passed away on 5 November 1961 in Gympie and was honored with a state funeral before being laid to rest at Gympie Cemetery. He was survived by one son.