Ian Sinclair facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable Ian Sinclair AC
Sinclair in 1970
23rd Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives
In office 4 March 1998 – 31 August 1998
Preceded by	Bob Halverson
Succeeded by	Neil Andrew
Leader of the National Party
In office 17 January 1984 – 9 May 1989
Deputy	Ralph Hunt Bruce Lloyd
Preceded by	Doug Anthony
Succeeded by	Charles Blunt
Deputy Leader of the National Party
In office 2 February 1971 – 17 January 1984
Leader	Doug Anthony
Preceded by	Doug Anthony
Succeeded by	Ralph Hunt
Parliamentary Offices Father of the House In office 20 February 1990 – 31 August 1998 Preceded by Tom Uren Succeeded by Philip Ruddock Leader of the House In office 19 August 1980 – 7 May 1982 Leader Malcolm Fraser Preceded by Ian Viner Succeeded by Sir James Killen In office 22 December 1975 – 27 September 1979 Leader Malcolm Fraser Preceded by Fred Daly Succeeded by Ian Viner Manager of Opposition Business In office 16 March 1983 – 28 April 1987 Leader Malcolm Fraser Andrew Peacock John Howard Preceded by Lionel Bowen Succeeded by John Spender In office 14 June 1974 – 11 November 1975 Leader Billy Snedden Malcolm Fraser Preceded by unknown Succeeded by Gordon Scholes
Cabinet Posts Minister for Defence In office 7 May 1982 – 11 March 1983 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser Preceded by Jim Killen Succeeded by Gordon Scholes Minister for Communications In office 3 November 1980 – 7 May 1982 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser Preceded by Tony Staley Succeeded by Neil Brown Minister for Special Trade Representations In office 19 August 1980 – 3 November 1980 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser Preceded by Douglas Scott Succeeded by office abolished Minister for Primary Industry In office 11 November 1975 – 27 September 1979 Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser Preceded by Rex Patterson Succeeded by Peter Nixon In office 5 February 1971 – 5 December 1972 Prime Minister John Gorton William McMahon Preceded by Doug Anthony Succeeded by Lance Barnard Minister for Shipping and Transport In office 28 February 1968 – 5 February 1971 Prime Minister John Gorton Preceded by Gordon Freeth Succeeded by Peter Nixon Minister for Social Services In office 22 February 1965 – 28 February 1968 Prime Minister Sir Robert Menzies Harold Holt John McEwen John Gorton Preceded by Reginald Swartz Succeeded by Bill Wentworth
Member of the Australian Parliament for New England
In office 30 November 1963 – 31 August 1998
Preceded by	David Drummond
Succeeded by	Stuart St. Clair
Member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales
In office 23 April 1961 – 24 October 1963
Succeeded by	Alexander Alam
Personal details
Born	Ian McCahon Sinclair (1929-06-10) 10 June 1929 (age 96) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	National
Spouses	Margaret Tarrant ​ ​ (m. 1956; died 1967)​ Rosemary Fenton ​ (m. 1970)​
Relations	Peter King (son-in-law)
Children	4
Occupation	Grazier

Ian McCahon Sinclair (born 10 June 1929) is an Australian former politician. He was a Member of Parliament for 35 years. He also led the National Party from 1984 to 1989.

Mr. Sinclair held many important roles in government. He was a minister or a key opposition member for most of the time from 1965 to 1989. Later, he became the Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1998.

He was born in Sydney and studied law. He later became a farmer near Tamworth. Mr. Sinclair was first elected to parliament in 1963. He joined the government as a minister in 1965. He served under several Prime Ministers, including Harold Holt, John McEwen, John Gorton, and William McMahon.

In 1971, he became the deputy leader of his party. He was a senior member of the Fraser government. During this time, he was Minister for Primary Industry (1975–1979), Minister for Communications (1980–1982), and Minister for Defence (1982–1983).

In 1984, Mr. Sinclair became the leader of the National Party. He led the party in two federal elections. He was replaced as leader in 1989. From 1990 until he retired in 1998, he was the Father of the Parliament. This title goes to the longest-serving member. He spent his last six months in parliament as Speaker. He is the only person from his party to have held this position.

Mr. Sinclair also helped lead the 1998 constitutional convention. This meeting discussed if Australia should become a republic. He is one of the last surviving Australian members of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. This means he can use the title "The Right Honourable."

Early Life and Education

Ian Sinclair was born in Sydney, Australia, on 10 June 1929. His parents were Gertrude Hazel and George McCahon Sinclair. His father was an accountant and was involved in local government and church activities.

Ian went to Knox Grammar School. After that, he studied at the University of Sydney. He earned degrees in Arts in 1949 and Law in 1952. He also served in the Citizen Air Force for a few years.

Instead of practicing law, Mr. Sinclair decided to become a farmer. He bought a property near Bendemeer. He also became the managing director of the Sinclair Pastoral Company. He was also a director for a farmers' co-operative.

Mr. Sinclair married Margaret Anne Tarrant in 1956. They had three children. After Margaret passed away, he married Rosemary Fenton in 1970. They had one son together.

Political Journey

Starting in Politics

Mr. Sinclair began his political career in the Country Party. In 1961, he was appointed to the New South Wales Legislative Council. This is a part of the state parliament.

He later resigned from this role to run for the House of Representatives. This is part of the federal parliament. In the 1963 federal election, he won the seat of Division of New England. He kept this seat for his party.

Serving as a Government Minister

Ian Sinclair (left) with John Gorton and Doug Anthony in 1971.

In 1965, Mr. Sinclair became the Minister for Social Services in the Menzies Government. This was his first role as a government minister.

In 1968, he became the Minister for Shipping and Transport. This role involved managing Australia's shipping and transport systems.

In 1971, the Country Party leader, John McEwen, retired. Doug Anthony became the new leader, and Mr. Sinclair was elected as his deputy. He then became the Minister for Primary Industry. This job focused on farming and agriculture.

After the Whitlam Labor government, Mr. Sinclair returned to being Minister for Primary Industry in 1975. This was during the Fraser government. In 1977, he was appointed to the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. This is a special group of advisors to the Queen.

In August 1980, Mr. Sinclair became the Minister for Special Trade Representations. Later, after the 1980 election, he was made Minister for Communications. This role involved overseeing communication services.

His last ministerial role was Minister for Defence in May 1982. He held this position until the government lost the 1983 election.

Leading the Party

In January 1984, Mr. Sinclair was elected as the leader of the National Party. He took over from Doug Anthony. He led the party in the 1984 and 1987 federal elections.

During his time as leader, he discussed important national issues. He believed in the importance of the National Party's unique views. He also talked about Australia's role in the Pacific region. He suggested forming a Pacific trade bloc to help protect trade interests.

In 1989, Charles Blunt replaced Mr. Sinclair as party leader. Mr. Sinclair tried to regain the leadership in 1990 but was unsuccessful. He then moved to the back bench, continuing to serve as a Member of Parliament.

Later Years in Parliament and Speaker Role

By 1993, Mr. Sinclair was the Father of the House. This means he was the longest-serving member of the House. He was also the last sitting MP who had served with Prime Minister Robert Menzies.

In 1997, Prime Minister Howard appointed Mr. Sinclair as co-chairman of the Constitutional Convention. This convention discussed if Australia should become a republic. Mr. Sinclair was a strong supporter of Australia remaining a monarchy.

Mr. Sinclair announced he would retire from Parliament in 1998. However, when the Speaker, Bob Halverson, suddenly resigned, Mr. Sinclair was elected to replace him. He became the first National Party member to hold the Speaker's position. He served as Speaker for the last six months of his term. He was known for his experience and assertive style in this role.

He retired from Parliament at the 1998 election. At that time, he was the last parliamentary member who had served in the Menzies, Holt, and Gorton governments.

Life After Politics

After leaving politics, Mr. Sinclair continued to be involved in public service. In January 2001, he received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC). This is a high honor for his service to Australia.

He served as the President of AUSTCARE, an organization that provides international aid. He also became the first chairman of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR) in 2000. This non-profit group gives grants to help regional communities. He retired from this role in 2019.

Mr. Sinclair also served as the Honorary President of the Scout Association of Australia, New South Wales Branch. He retired from this role in 2019 and received a special award from the Scouts in 2020.

Images for kids

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  Sinclair addressing an audience in Darwin, Northern Territory, in 1970