Pat Hills
Patrick Darcy Hills | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | April 22, 1992 (aged 74) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, Electrical engineer |
| Years active | 1948–1988 |
| Known for | Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Leader of the Opposition, Lord Mayor of Sydney |
Patrick Darcy Hills (31 December 1917 – 22 April 1992) was a distinguished politician in New South Wales, holding key roles such as Deputy Premier of New South Wales, Leader of the Opposition, and Lord Mayor of Sydney.
Early life
Hills was born in Surry Hills, a suburb of Sydney. He received his education at Marist Brothers High School in Darlinghurst and pursued training as an electrical engineer.
From 1948 until 1956, he served as an alderman on the Sydney City Council. Between 1953 and 1956, he held the office of Lord Mayor of Sydney. His tenure as mayor is remembered for a notable public relations episode involving a counterfeit Olympic torch.
Political career
In 1954, Hills was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing the Phillip electorate for the Labor Party, maintaining this seat until its dissolution in 1981. Subsequently, he represented the Elizabeth district until his retirement in 1988.
Under Premier Robert Heffron, Hills served as Minister for Local Government from 1959 to 1964. Upon Heffron’s retirement in 1964, both Hills and Deputy Premier Jack Renshaw were leading candidates for leadership. However, Hills’ comparatively younger age and perceived overconfidence impeded his leadership ambitions. He chose not to vie for the top position, which Renshaw assumed unopposed, but secured the deputy leadership over health minister Bill Sheahan.
Following Labor’s defeat by the Coalition government led by Bob Askin, Hills became deputy opposition leader. He succeeded Renshaw as leader of the state Labor Party and opposition leader in 1968. Hills narrowly lost to Askin in both the 1971 and 1973 state elections and resigned from leadership in 1973, becoming the first NSW Labor leader in many decades not to ascend to premiership.
Throughout his extensive 34-year tenure in parliament, Hills managed various portfolios including Local Government, Highways, Mines, Energy, Industrial Relations, Technology, Roads, and Employment. His significant contributions encompass the development of the Sydney to Newcastle Highway, overseeing construction of the Gladesville Bridge, and founding the State Planning Authority (now known as NSW Department of Planning). Additionally, he supervised the building of both Eraring and Bayswater power stations. However, he faced criticism for compromising the 1948 Cumberland County Plan by permitting development on designated green belt areas.
Later life and career
Hills was a member of the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sports Ground Trust from July 1961 until December 1989. He chaired this body during a significant expansion phase between 1977 and 1989. Until John Robertson’s resignation in 2014, Hills remained the only NSW Labor Leader since 1923 who did not become premier.
He passed away in Sydney and was cremated; his ashes were laid to rest at Northern Suburbs Memorial Gardens.
Honours
In recognition of his dedication to both the New South Wales Parliament and local government, Hills was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) during the 1988 Australia Day Honours.
The suburb of Hillsdale in New South Wales bears his name as a tribute.