Philip McBride

Philip McBride
Born	Philip Albert Martin McBride Template:Birth date Burra, South Australia, Australia
Died	July 14, 1982(1982-07-14) (aged 90) Medindie, South Australia, Australia
Occupation(s)	Politician, pastoralist
Years active	1931–1958 (politics)
Known for	Australian federal politician; Minister for Defence; pastoralist

Sir Philip Albert Martin McBride (18 June 1892 – 14 July 1982) was a notable figure in Australian politics. He initially served as a representative of the United Australia Party in the Australian House of Representatives for the electorate of Grey from 1931 to 1937, then transitioned to the Australian Senate representing South Australia between 1937 and 1944. Subsequently, he returned to the House as a member of the Liberal Party of Australia for Wakefield, holding this seat from 1946 until 1958. Throughout his political career, McBride occupied several ministerial positions under Robert Menzies, including roles as Minister for the Army and Minister for Repatriation in 1940, Minister for Supply and Development and Minister for Munitions from 1940 to 1941, Minister for the Interior between 1949 and 1950, and finally as Minister for Defence from 1950 until his retirement in 1958.

Early life and pastoralist career

Philip McBride was born in Burra, South Australia, the son of James McBride, a well-known pastoralist. His education took place at Burra Public School followed by Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. Before fully engaging in politics, he gained practical experience working on the family’s sheep stations. In 1915, he entered into a partnership with his father, and by 1920, they had merged their properties to form A. J. and P. A. McBride, Ltd., where he served as managing director and subsequently chairman for five decades. The company managed numerous pastoral leases across South Australia, such as Braemar, Faraway Hill, Lincoln Park, Mernowie, Teetulpa, Wilgena Station, Wooltana Station, and Yardea Station. Early on, McBride was deeply involved in hands-on management of these stations.

His leadership extended beyond his own enterprises; he was president of the Stockowners' Association of South Australia from 1929 to 1931 and represented South Australian interests on the Australian Woolgrowers Council throughout the 1930s. Despite his efforts, he was unsuccessful in state-level elections for Newcastle in 1927 and Burra in 1930.

Federal politics

McBride secured election to the House of Representatives at the 1931 election, capturing the seat of Grey from sitting Labor MP Andrew Lacey as a candidate for the United Australia Party. In parliament, he acted as a backbencher advocating for enhanced support to agricultural producers, tariff reductions, and promoting both wheat and wool sectors within one of Australia's largest constituencies. He comfortably retained his seat during the 1934 election.

Ahead of the 1937 election, McBride orchestrated a swap with Senator A. O. Badman, moving himself into the Senate while Badman sought election to Grey. This arrangement was initially kept confidential since both had pursued Senate preselection independently. Badman resigned from his Senate position to contest Grey successfully; meanwhile, McBride was appointed to fill Badman's Senate vacancy before officially assuming his elected term in July 1938. Although both were members of South Australia's Liberal and Country League, federally they aligned with different parties: McBride with the UAP and Badman with the Country Party.

From April 1939 until September 1940, McBride held the post of Assistant Minister for Commerce, relinquishing various directorships to prevent conflicts of interest. After senior minister Geoffrey Street perished in the tragic 1940 Canberra air disaster, McBride inherited Street’s responsibilities as both Minister for the Army and Minister for Repatriation. Following the federal election later that year, he assumed leadership over newly created portfolios—Minister for Munitions and Minister for Supply and Development—positions he had previously advocated establishing. He was appointed to the War Cabinet in 1940 and joined the Advisory War Council in 1941. After the United Australia Party's parliamentary defeat in 1941 brought Labor under John Curtin to power, McBride became Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate but lost his seat at the 1943 Australian federal election, concluding his term in June 1944.

During his time outside parliament, McBride chaired Elder Smith and Company starting in 1944 and resumed directorships at Elder's Trustee and Executor Company, Adelaide Steamship Company, and Wallaroo-Mt Lyell Fertilisers by 1945. He played an instrumental role in establishing the Liberal Party of Australia as a successor to the declining UAP, serving on its provisional executive between 1944 and 1945. He re-entered federal politics at the 1946 election as a Liberal member representing Wakefield.

Following Menzies’ government victory in 1949, McBride was appointed Minister for the Interior, serving until 1950 while again stepping down from corporate directorships. In that year he took on the role of Minister for Defence, which he held until retiring from political life in 1958. Known as a trusted advisor within Menzies’ inner circle, McBride was regarded as one of the last "Old Guard" ministers who had supported Menzies during his unsuccessful UAP leadership challenge in 1941.

After leaving politics, McBride resumed chairmanship at Elder Smith and Co Ltd (later Elder Smith Goldsbrough Mort Ltd) and held board positions including with Bank of Adelaide and Wallaroo-Mount Lyell Fertilisers Ltd; he also contributed to the work of the Australian Wool Board. Additionally, he served as federal president of the Liberal Party from 1960 through 1965.

Sir Philip McBride passed away at his residence in Medindie in 1982, survived by his wife along with two sons.

A. J. and P. A. McBride Ltd., under his leadership responsible for numerous pastoral properties established during his tenure, continues active participation within Australia's wool industry.

His great-grandson is independent South Australian parliamentarian Nick McBride, who departed from the Liberal Party in 2023.

Honours

In 1953, McBride was conferred the title of Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George. Later, in 1959, he was inducted as a Privy Counsellor.