Albert Hawke

Australian politician

Albert Redvers George Hawke (3 December 1900 – 14 February 1986) was the 18th Premier of Western Australia.He served from 23 February 1953 to 2 April 1959, and represented the Labor Party.

Hawke was born in South Australia, and began his political career in that state, winning a seat in the House of Assembly at the 1924 state election.

He was only 23 at the time, making him the youngest MP in South Australia's history.Hawke lost his seat at the 1927 election, and moved to Western Australia the following year.

At the 1933 state election in Western Australia, which saw a Labor landslide, he unexpectedly defeated the sitting Nationalist premier, Sir James Mitchell, in the seat of Northam.

In May 1936, Hawke became a minister in the government of Philip Collier.He later also served as a minister in the governments of John Willcock and Frank Wise, and was elected deputy leader of the Labor Party in July 1945.

Hawke succeeded Wise as party leader in June 1951, and led Labor to victory at the 1953 state election.He retained government at the 1956 election, just a year after the 1955 party split, but was defeated in 1959 after just over six years in office.

Hawke continued as Labor leader until December 1966, leading the party to two more elections, and left parliament at the 1968 election.

His nephew, Bob Hawke, served as the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia from March 1983 to December 1991.

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