John Cusack (Australian politician)

John Cusack
Born	Template:Birth date near Yass, New South Wales, Australia
Died	September 8, 1956(1956-09-08) (aged 88)
Occupation(s)	Businessman, politician
Years active	1890s–1954
Known for	Member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly (1910–1917); Member of the Australian House of Representatives (1929–1931)

John Joseph Cusack (8 August 1868 – 8 September 1956) was an Australian businessman and politician primarily associated with the Australian Labor Party (ALP). His political tenure included service in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1910 to 1917, followed by a term in the House of Representatives between 1929 and 1931.

Early life

Cusack was born in the vicinity of Yass, New South Wales. At age 15, he began an apprenticeship as a blacksmith before acquiring skills in coachbuilding in Sydney. In 1898, he returned to Yass, where he married Minnie Cassidy and established a coachbuilding enterprise. He also became active in local government, serving on the Yass Municipal Council and holding the office of mayor in 1904.

Parliamentary career

During the 1890s, Cusack initiated a branch of the Labor League in Yass. He held seats representing Queanbeyan from 1910 to 1913 and Albury from 1913 to 1917 in the NSW Legislative Assembly, notable for being among only four Labor representatives to ever secure Albury. Following the 1916 split within the ALP, Cusack faced expulsion due to his opposition to a no-confidence motion against William Holman’s administration but was subsequently reinstated.

In the federal election of 1929, Cusack captured the seat of Eden-Monaro, successfully overcoming a legal contest initiated by his defeated rival John Perkins. He ran unsuccessfully for Cowper in 1931 against Earle Page. Cusack persisted in pursuing political office, contesting state elections without success until 1953. At age 80, he stood as an Independent candidate for Burrinjuck but was unable to displace the sitting Labor member Billy Sheahan, whom he accused of orchestrating a "masonic vendetta" against him while serving as NSW Attorney General.

At 85 years old, Cusack sought election to the federal seat of Australian Capital Territory in 1954, garnering approximately 3% of first-preference votes and losing his deposit.

Later life

Following multiple electoral setbacks, Cusack resumed his blacksmith trade in Yass. He passed away at the old Canberra Hospital and was survived by his wife, three sons—Linton, Stan, and Greg—and a daughter named Ursula. His son Stan established a prosperous furniture manufacturing business in Canberra, leveraging the region’s growth as the Australian Capital Territory. Notably, author Dymphna Cusack was his niece. His great-granddaughter Catherine Cusack entered politics as a Liberal Party member of the New South Wales Legislative Council beginning in 2003.