Robert Askin
Robert Askin | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robin William Askin 4 April 1907 Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 9 September 1981 (aged 74) |
| Other names | Bob Askin |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, bank officer, soldier |
| Years active | 1950–1975 (politics) |
| Known for | 32nd Premier of New South Wales (1965–1975), first Liberal Party Premier of NSW |
Sir Robert William Askin, GCMG (4 April 1907 – 9 September 1981), was a prominent Australian statesman who served as the 32nd premier of New South Wales from 1965 until 1975. He was the first premier representing the Liberal Party. Originally named Robin William Askin at birth in Sydney, he disliked his given name and officially changed it by deed poll in 1971. Prior to receiving his knighthood in 1972, he was widely known as Bob Askin. His education took place at Sydney Technical High School. Before entering politics, he worked as a bank officer and held the rank of sergeant during the Second World War. Askin began his political career with the Liberal Party, successfully contesting the seat of Collaroy in 1950.
He swiftly rose through party ranks, becoming deputy leader in 1954 following Walter Howarth's resignation. Later that year, when leader Vernon Treatt resigned, Askin vied for leadership but was deadlocked against Pat Morton, ultimately backing Murray Robson. After Robson was ousted in 1955, Morton assumed leadership with Askin continuing as deputy. Following another electoral loss in 1959, Morton was replaced by Askin as party leader. At the May 1965 election, Askin led the Liberals to a slim victory, ending a 24-year period of Labor governance.
During his premiership, Askin expanded infrastructure projects, resisted increased federal authority, and pursued laissez-faire economic strategies. His administration enacted several reforms such as founding the Law Reform Commission, introducing consumer protection statutes, establishing legal aid services, implementing driver breath-testing programs, liberalizing liquor laws, and reinstating postal voting in NSW elections. His government controversially dissolved the Sydney City Council in 1967 and accelerated urban development in Sydney, often at the expense of heritage architecture—actions that spurred the union-led 'Green ban' movement in the 1970s aimed at preserving historic sites.
Askin secured three subsequent terms, becoming New South Wales' second longest-serving Premier after Henry Parkes, holding the longest continuous term until surpassed by Neville Wran and Bob Carr. He remains the longest-serving leader in the history of the New South Wales Liberal Party. Since his passing in 1981, his reputation has been marred by allegations linking him to organised crime and corruption.
Early years
Robin William Askin entered the world on 4 April 1907 at Sydney's Crown Street Women's Hospital, as the eldest son among three brothers born to Ellen Laura Halliday (née Rowe) and William James Askin—a sailor originally from Adelaide who later worked for New South Wales Railways. His parents were married in 1916. During his childhood, Askin lived initially in Stuart Town before relocating to Glebe, a working-class district of Sydney. After attending Glebe Public School for primary education, he earned a scholarship to attend Sydney Technical High School, where he distinguished himself particularly in Mathematics and History while also enjoying swimming and Rugby League. He completed his Intermediate Certificate in 1921.
At age fifteen, following a brief stint in electrical work, Askin began employment with the Government Savings Bank of New South Wales as a clerk in 1922. When this bank ceased operations during the Great Depression in 1931, he transitioned to work at the Rural Bank of New South Wales. Between 1925 and 1929, he served part-time as a lieutenant within the Citizens Military Forces' 55th Battalion. On 5 February 1937, he married Mollie Isabelle Underhill, a typist employed by the bank; they subsequently resided in Manly. Politically active early on, he contributed to Percy Spender's successful campaign as an Independent candidate for the Federal seat of Warringah during the 1937 election. By 1940, Askin had become manager of his bank’s service department focused on public relations and served as vice-president (1939–40) and president (1940–41) of its branch within the United Bank Officers' Association.
Askin enlisted as a private soldier with the Second Australian Imperial Force on 30 March 1942. He served primarily as an instructor with the 14th Infantry Training Battalion stationed at Dubbo, receiving a temporary promotion to acting corporal before reverting to private rank. In November that year, he participated in two separate tours with the 2/31st Infantry Battalion during the New Guinea campaign—first for two months and later for six months starting July 1943. In July 1945, during combat operations at Balikpapan in Borneo under Lieutenant Colonel Murray Robson, he was elevated to sergeant. After World War II ended, Askin attempted to launch an import business based in Bandjermasin but returned to Australia by February 1946 and was formally discharged on 22 March.
Early political career
Following his demobilisation, Askin resumed work at the Rural Bank, overseeing its travel division. His enthusiasm for politics was reignited when he assisted Lieutenant Colonel Robson in holding onto the seat of Vaucluse during the 1947 state election for the newly established Liberal Party, which he subsequently joined. Rapidly advancing within the party, he became President of the Liberals’ Manly branch and played a key role in supporting Bill Wentworth’s victorious campaign for the newly created seat of Mackellar at the 1949 election.
Askin secured Liberal preselection and won the newly formed seat of Collaroy in the Northern Beaches region at the 17 June 1950 election, capturing 63.69% of the vote. Under the leadership of Vernon Treatt, the Liberal/Country Coalition increased their tally by 12 seats with a 6.7% swing, totaling 46 seats and matching the number held by the Labor Party. The balance of power rested with two Independent Labor members, allowing Premier James McGirr and his Labor government to remain in office. Representing a constituency covering much of the Northern Beaches, Askin actively challenged inadequate governmental development and deficiencies in services such as sewerage, education, and transportation.
Labor’s slim hold on power weakened McGirr’s position, leading to his replacement by Joseph Cahill in April 1952. Cahill gained public approval by resolving electricity supply challenges and rejuvenating public infrastructure projects. He also criticized the unpopular federal Coalition administration led by Robert Menzies. These developments contributed to Treatt’s Coalition losing ten seats with a 7.2% swing against them at the 14 February 1953 election. Despite this setback, Askin retained Collaroy with 63.35% of the vote.
Deputy Leader
Following a decline in confidence, factional tensions within Treatt’s Liberal Party culminated in Deputy Leader Walter Howarth’s resignation on 22 July 1954, which had been publicly foreshadowed on 4 July amid suspicions about his loyalty. Askin, then serving as Party Whip, was appointed as his successor. This change triggered a leadership contest from Pat Morton, with Treatt narrowly maintaining his position by a margin of 12 votes to 10 on 6 July. However, weakened support forced Treatt to step down as leader on 6 August 1954. After an impasse between Askin and Morton for leadership, Murray Robson was chosen as leader.
Robson’s lack of governmental experience and apparent disinterest in policy alienated party members, especially due to his efforts to strengthen ties with Michael Bruxner’s Country Party. On 20 September 1955, senior member Ken McCaw moved a motion to declare the leadership vacant citing Robson’s shortcomings; it passed by 15 to 5 votes. Subsequently, Morton was elected leader unopposed with Askin reinstated as deputy.
Morton guided the party through defeat at the 3 March 1956 election, where although the Coalition gained six seats, it reduced the government’s majority from twenty to six. Askin retained Collaroy with an increased share of 70.14%. At the 21 March 1959 election, while the Coalition made a net gain of three seats overall, they lost two to Labor, leaving Cahill’s Government with a narrow four-seat majority. Askin successfully held his seat with 71.09%.
Leader of the Opposition
Morton's decision to maintain his business activities while leading the party sparked criticism, branding him as a 'part-time leader.' This perception, combined with his defeat in a second election, eroded trust in his leadership capabilities. On 14 July 1959, three Liberal MLAs publicly called for Morton’s resignation, arguing that the party required a full-time leader and that Morton lacked sufficient backing within the party. Morton refused to step down and promptly organized an emergency meeting on 17 July to secure reaffirmation of his leadership.
By this stage, Askin had become Morton’s prominent challenger. Together with Eric Willis, Askin insisted on securing an outright majority of 28 votes to claim leadership. During the party meeting, a motion to spill Morton’s leadership narrowly passed by two votes. Willis unexpectedly withdrew his candidacy, enabling Askin to assume leadership without opposition, while Willis was chosen as deputy leader. Upon taking the helm, Askin committed to advocating Liberal values and principles to working-class constituents.
After Premier Cahill passed away in October 1959, Robert "Bob" Heffron took over as Premier, which somewhat moderated Askin’s opposition stance. At the March 1962 election, following Labor’s 21-year rule and Heffron’s tenure of 2.5 years at age 72, Askin criticized the government as being composed of "tired old men." The government’s popularity waned after voters rejected a 1961 referendum aimed at abolishing the Legislative Council—marking Labor’s first electoral setback in two decades. Askin’s campaign concentrated on cautioning against a Labor-dominated unicameral legislature influenced by "Communist and Trades Hall" interests.
Labor's agenda proposed establishing a Department of Industrial Development to tackle unemployment, providing free school travel, supporting home buyers, and commencing construction of the Sydney–Newcastle Freeway as a toll road. Conversely, Askin advocated reforms including State Aid for private schools, more equitable rent controls, legalizing off-course betting, and infrastructure enhancements—promising a toll-free Newcastle freeway, completion of the Eastern Suburbs Railway, planning for a second Sydney Harbour crossing, along with increased funding for mental health services and hospitals.
Despite these initiatives, Askin and newly appointed Country Party Leader Charles Cutler were defeated in the election due to voter dissatisfaction with the federal Coalition’s unpopular 1960 "horror budget" and credit restrictions. Although there was a slight swing in their favor, the Coalition lost five seats but gained influential support from media magnate Frank Packer who helped portray Askin and the Liberals as a viable alternative. Askin retained his seat with a commanding 72.53% of the vote.
The 1965 election campaign against Labor—now led by Jack Renshaw since April 1964—was among Australia's earliest "presidential-style" campaigns that centered heavily on Askin under the slogan "With Askin You'll Get Action." Strongly supported by Packer's media empire, the May 1965 election resulted in the Liberal/Country Coalition winning 49.8% of votes compared to Labor's 43.3%. Although Liberals only gained two seats from Labor, support from independents Douglas Darby (Manly) and Harold Coates (Hartley) allowed Askin to terminate Labor's 24-year hold on power. He officially took office on 1 May with Charles Cutler serving as deputy premier.
Premier of New South Wales
On 13 May 1965, the Askin Government was officially commissioned by the governor of New South Wales, Sir Eric Woodward, at Government House. This marked the first time a Liberal-led administration took office since the party adopted its current identity, becoming one of only three Liberal governments to displace Labor. Askin, who concurrently held the role of treasurer, was actively engaged in managing governmental operations while advancing social initiatives and maintaining a visible public presence. Interestingly, Askin did not drive himself and depended on his chauffeur, Russ Ferguson, who notably operated the vehicle controls discreetly during official visits such as a tour of a Holden manufacturing plant.
The Askin administration prioritized resisting the expansion of Commonwealth authority, enforcing stringent "law and order" policies, promoting laissez-faire economic principles, and encouraging vigorous industrial and commercial development. Among its initial measures were reinstating direct air links between Sydney and Dubbo and exerting pressure on Jørn Utzon, the architect behind the Sydney Opera House, to provide definitive cost and timeline projections amid rising expenditures. Public Works Minister Davis Hughes assumed control over the project's finances, resulting in clashes with Utzon that culminated in Utzon’s resignation in February 1966, an event that sparked widespread public dissent. Shortly after taking office, the government eliminated the tow-away scheme in both Sydney and Newcastle. In 1966, Askin was honored with an honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) degree from the University of New South Wales.
Law reform
Despite facing resistance from a hostile Legislative Council, ongoing drought conditions, and labor disputes, Askin's government implemented significant reforms. These included lifting trading-hour restrictions for small enterprises, abolishing jury trials in motor accident cases, extending liquor sale hours to end the notorious "Six o'clock swill," tackling pollution issues, reinstating postal voting for state elections, and rejecting the 1967 referendum proposed by the New England New State Movement.
Many of these legislative changes were championed by Minister for Justice John Maddison and Attorney-General Sir Kenneth McCaw, who established the Law Reform Commission of New South Wales, introduced consumer protection laws, created an ombudsman office, expanded legal aid services, mandated health warnings on cigarette packaging, implemented breathalyzer testing for drivers, set vehicle emission standards, liberalized liquor regulations, and provided compensation schemes for victims of violent crimes. The government also created a new National Parks and Wildlife Service to enhance environmental preservation efforts. Nonetheless, despite these progressive initiatives, the administration upheld a strict penal system that incited considerable unrest at Bathurst Gaol during disturbances in 1970 and again in 1974.
Local government and planning
Together with local government minister Pat Morton, Askin accelerated urban development within inner Sydney and its central business district following his 1967 dissolution of the Sydney City Council and a municipal electoral redistribution designed to diminish influence from the opposing Labor Party. Morton justified abolishing the council as "vital for Sydney's advancement," replacing it with a commission chaired by former Liberal leader Vernon Treatt.
Confronted with mounting infrastructure pressures, Askin’s pro-development stance aimed to address these demands. However, the State Planning Authority attracted criticism due to its limited transparency and accountability to the public. Pro-business Sydney Commissioners worked collaboratively to escalate CBD development projects to unprecedented scales, exemplified by constructing the MLC Centre while demolishing landmarks such as the Theatre Royal, Sydney and Australia Hotel. Controversial initiatives included an extensive freeway network slicing through historic neighborhoods like Glebe and Newtown, alongside a slum clearance strategy threatening heritage precincts such as Woolloomooloo and The Rocks. These plans provoked resistance culminating in the 1970s Green ban campaign spearheaded by union leader Jack Mundey, which successfully preserved much of Sydney’s architectural legacy.
Second term
During the 24 February 1968 election, Askin increased his parliamentary majority by gaining six additional seats from Labor's Renshaw, achieving a 12-seat advantage over both Labor and Independents. He maintained his own seat with a 70.97% vote share, marking the first occasion since the UAP/Country Coalition's tenure from 1932 to 1938 that a non-Labor administration was re-elected in New South Wales.
In mid-1968, Askin became embroiled in a media controversy stemming from comments he made at a United States Chamber of Commerce luncheon on 32 July 1968—the same day Opposition Leader Renshaw resigned and was succeeded by Pat Hills. Reflecting on President Lyndon B. Johnson's state visit in October 1966, Askin described instructing police to clear anti-Vietnam War demonstrators blocking Johnson’s motorcade in Sydney’s central business district. He then recounted making a lighthearted remark to Johnson about "riding over them," which Johnson reportedly approved. Although Askin claimed the comment was directed at police, journalists reported it as "Run over the bastards."
Federal relations
As Treasurer, Askin focused heavily on managing the state budget and navigating financial relations between the Commonwealth and states. His perspective was shaped by the 1965 premiers' conference, where Prime Minister Menzies secured additional funds for Victoria at the expense of other states and abruptly ended the meeting before objections could be raised. Following this, Askin opposed Canberra’s increasing centralization efforts and became a vocal advocate for preserving state autonomy.
When John Gorton assumed the prime ministership, tensions arose over federal taxation powers; in June 1968, Askin asserted his ability to block any state-imposed taxes. Toward the end of 1969, Askin and Victorian Premier Bolte convened an 'emergency' premiers' conference without Gorton to emphasize the states’ disadvantaged position—a move that contributed to Gorton’s removal as party leader in 1971.
Askin held a low opinion of Gorton’s successor, William McMahon, only agreeing to federal financial assistance after threatening to disclose an unfavorable New South Wales budget. Relations further deteriorated following Labor leader Gough Whitlam’s victory in the 1972 federal election; Askin criticized Whitlam’s centralizing policies and discontinued appeals to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council.
Third and Fourth terms
In the state election held on 13 February 1971, the Coalition experienced a four-seat swing against it but narrowly retained power with 49 seats out of 96 in the Assembly, facing Labor under leader Pat Hills. Deputy Premier Charles Cutler remained a vital partner, also serving as acting premier during Askin’s health-related absences caused by heart attacks in 1969 and 1973. In recognition of his contributions to ethnic minorities, Askin received honors from the Eastern Orthodox Church of Antioch in 1972.
That same year, Askin officially changed his first name from "Robin" to "Robert" and was appointed Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) on 1 January 1972. Leveraging widespread public dissatisfaction with Whitlam’s federal government, he called an early election in 1973. Despite losing the northern Sydney seat of Gordon due to a nomination oversight by Liberal minister Harry Jago, Askin secured an unprecedented fourth consecutive term, increasing the Liberal/Country coalition’s majority by four seats—an achievement unmatched until Neville Wran's tenure. In this election, he contested and retained the safe Liberal electorate of Pittwater. Additionally, in 1973 he was awarded Officer status in Lebanon's National Order of the Cedar.
During his final term, friction with Victoria intensified alongside perceptions that he had become increasingly disconnected from voters. In late 1974, Askin announced his intention to resign and endorsed Minister for Lands Thomas Lewis over deputy leader Eric Willis as his successor—Lewis reportedly offered to elevate Askin’s knighthood from KCMG to Knight Grand Cross (GCMG). Askin retired in January 1975 with Lewis assuming premiership duties. On 14 June 1975, Askin was promoted to Knight Grand Cross in recognition of his service.
Following Askin’s departure, political instability followed: Lewis was deposed by Willis in a party coup during 1976. Willis remained premier for only four months before losing an election that brought Labor to power, thus ending the longest uninterrupted non-Labor government since World War I.
Later life
Following 1975, Askin experienced a deterioration in his health and ultimately succumbed to heart failure on 9 September 1981 at St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. The next day, the Sydney Morning Herald referred to him as "one of the most capable, hardworking, and vivid political figures in Australia's post-war history."
His state funeral took place on 14 September, drawing a crowd exceeding 1,000 attendees, among them Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser, Premier Neville Wran, and former NSW Premier and governor-general Sir William McKell.
Allegations of corruption
There have been ongoing claims that Askin, allegedly in collaboration with Police Commissioner Norman Allan, managed an extensive and profitable corruption scheme involving politicians, civil servants, law enforcement, and organised crime groups in Sydney.
Askin maintained that his financial gains were derived from his official earnings, careful spending habits, investment activities, and gambling winnings. However, after his passing, the Australian Taxation Office conducted an audit of his estate and uncovered significant undeclared income from sources other than shares or gambling.
In the aftermath of Askin's death in 1981, investigative reporters published exposés concerning his purported corrupt dealings. Notably, The National Times issued an article titled "Askin: friend of organised crime" coinciding with the day of his funeral. David Hickie's publication "The Prince and The Premier" provided detailed accounts of Askin's alleged involvement in illegal betting operations and purported kickbacks from crime syndicates.
The 2007 centenary commemorating Askin's birth passed with little recognition, as the Liberal Party sought to distance itself from his legacy.
In 2008, Alan Saffron—son of Sydney crime figure Abe Saffron—claimed in a biography that his father bribed key officials including Askin and Allan. He asserted that weekly payments ranging between A$5,000 and $10,000 were made over several years, with visits by both Askin and Allan to Saffron's office and residence. Abe Saffron was described as a "bagman" for Sydney’s illicit liquor trade, prostitution rings, and gambling operations, funneling payoffs to Askin, Allan, and others in return for their protection.