List of longest-serving members of the Australian House of Representatives

See also: List of longest-serving members of the Australian Senate

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Although the holder of this status is sometimes given the informal title of Father of the House, the duties of the Father of the House of Commons in the United Kingdom or the Dean of the House in Canada are assigned to the Clerk of the House of Representatives.

Related Topics:
Father of the House - Father of the House of Commons - United Kingdom - Dean of the House - Canada - Clerk of the House of Representatives

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The first House of Representatives was elected on 30 March 1901. All the members elected to that First Parliament therefore had equal seniority. It follows that there could not be a "longest-serving member" until only one member from the First Parliament was still in the House. That occurred on 8 April 1935 with the death of David Watkins.

Related Topics:
House of Representatives - 30 March - 1901 - 8 April - 1935 - David Watkins

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Since that date the longest-serving members of the House of Representatives have been:

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• Rt Hon Billy Hughes: first elected 30 March 1901, died 28 October 1952
• Rt Hon Sir Earle Page: first elected 13 December 1919, defeated 9 December 1961
• Hon Eddie Ward: first elected 7 March 1931, defeated 19 December 1931, again elected 6 February 1932, died 31 July 1963

Between 31 July 1963 and 29 September 1969 several members had equal lengths of service, having all been elected at the 1934 election. They were: Robert Menzies (first elected 15 September 1934, resigned 16 February 1966), Joseph Clark (first elected 15 September 1934, retired 29 September 1969) and Sir John McEwen.

Related Topics:
31 July - 1963 - 29 September - 1969 - Robert Menzies - 15 September - 1934 - 16 February - 1966 - Joseph Clark - Sir John McEwen

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• Rt Hon Sir John McEwen: first elected 15 September 1934, resigned 1 February 1971
• Rt Hon Arthur Calwell: first elected 29 September 1940, retired 2 November 1972
• Hon Fred Daly: first elected 28 August 1943, retired 11 November 1975
• Hon Kim Beazley (senior): first elected 18 August 1945, retired 10 November 1977

Between 10 November 1977 and 19 September 1980, two members had equal lengths of service, having both been elected at the 1949 election. They were: Hon Clyde Cameron (first elected 10 December 1949, retired 19 September 1980) and Rt Hon Sir William McMahon.

Related Topics:
10 November - 1977 - 19 September - 1980 - Clyde Cameron - 10 December - 1949 - William McMahon

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• Rt Hon Sir William McMahon: first elected 10 December 1949, resigned 4 January 1982

Between 4 January 1982 and 21 April 1983, several members had equal lengths of service, having all been elected at the 1955 election. They were: Malcolm Fraser (first elected 10 December 1955, resigned 31 March 1983), Billy Snedden (first elected 10 December 1955, resigned 21 April 1983) and Sir James Killen

Related Topics:
4 January - 1982 - 21 April - 1983 - Malcolm Fraser - 10 December - 1955 - 31 March - Billy Snedden - Sir James Killen

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• Hon Sir James Killen: first elected 10 December 1955, resigned 15 August 1983
• Rt Hon Doug Anthony: first elected 14 September 1957, resigned 18 January 1984
• Hon Tom Uren: first elected 22 November 1958, retired 19 February 1990
• Rt Hon Ian Sinclair: first elected 30 November 1963, retired 31 August 1998
• Hon Philip Ruddock: first elected 22 September 1973