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Claude Matthews (Australian politician)

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The Honourable
Claude Matthews
Chief Secretary
In office
21 September 1949 – 30 June 1950
Preceded byJohn Baddeley
Succeeded byClive Evatt
Personal details
Born(1899-01-19)19 January 1899
Rylstone, New South Wales
Died9 January 1954(1954-01-09) (aged 54)
Sydney
Political partyLabor Party, Australian Labor Party (NSW)

Claude Hilton Matthews (19 January 1899 – 9 January 1954) was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1934 until his death in 1954 . He was variously a member of the Labor Party (ALP) and the Australian Labor Party (NSW). He held a number of ministerial positions including Chief Secretary

Early and personal life

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Matthews was born in Rylstone, New South Wales He was the son of a foreman and was educated at Petersham High School. He worked with the New South Wales Government Railways as a labourer and became an official of the Federated Ironworkers' Association.

State Parliament

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Matthews was elected as the Labor member for Leichhardt at the 1934 by-election caused by the resignation of the sitting member Joe Lamaro who unsuccessfully contested the seat of Watson at the 1934 federal election. He retained the seat for the next 7 elections.[1] He killed himself while still in office in 1954.[2][3]

Government

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Matthews held ministerial positions in the government of James McGirr. He held the positions of Minister for Building Materials and Minister for Tourism and Immigration before becoming Colonial Secretary between 1949 and 1950.

References

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  1. ^ "The Hon. Claude Hilton Matthews (1899–1954)". Former members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  2. ^ "Police probe MLAs death". The Argus. 11 January 1954. Retrieved 18 June 2010 – via Trove.
  3. ^ "Former Minister's suicide". The Canberra Times. 26 January 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 14 October 2019 – via Trove.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Member for Leichhardt
1934 – 1954
Succeeded by
Political offices
New portfolio Minister for Building Materials
1947 – 1948
Succeeded by
Preceded by Minister in Charge of
Tourist Activities and Immigration

1948 – 1949
Succeeded by
Preceded by Chief Secretary
1949 – 1950
Succeeded by