Jim Bacon (politician) facts for kids

James Alexander Bacon (15 May 1950 – 20 June 2004) was an important Australian politician. He served as the Premier of Tasmania, which is like the leader of the state government, from 1998 to 2004.

Early Life and Career

Jim Bacon was born in Melbourne, Australia, on 15 May 1950. His father passed away when Jim was twelve, and his mother raised him. He went to Scotch College and later studied politics at Monash University.

Before becoming a politician, Bacon was involved in trade unions. He worked as a labourer and became an official for the Builders Labourers Federation. Later, he became the leader of the trade union movement in Tasmania.

Bacon joined the Labor Party in Tasmania. In 1996, he was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly, representing the area of Denison in Hobart.

In 1997, he became the leader of the Tasmanian Labor Party. He won the state election in 1998, becoming Premier. His party won again in 2002 by a large margin.

Premier of Tasmania

Jim Bacon's time as Premier was seen as very successful for Tasmania. The state's economy grew stronger, and he was popular with the people. He also helped boost tourism.

Under his leadership, two more Bass Strait ferries were introduced. A new ferry service also started between Devonport and Sydney.

One of his government's biggest achievements was paying off a large state debt. They managed to clear a $1.6 billion debt in just six years.

Other successes included a big increase in tourist numbers. He also introduced new social policies and created partnerships between state and local governments. Bacon's government also helped turn state-owned businesses, like Hydro Tasmania, into profitable companies. He also brought two Australian Football League (AFL) clubs to play regular games in Tasmania. These changes helped improve confidence among people and businesses in Tasmania.

Illness and Passing

In February 2004, Jim Bacon was diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer was inoperable, meaning it could not be removed with surgery.

He took a break from his role as Premier to explore treatment options. In March 2004, he stepped down as Premier to spend time with his family and friends. Paul Lennon, who was his Deputy Premier, took over as Tasmania's new Premier.

Jim Bacon passed away on 20 June 2004, at Calvary Hospital in Hobart. He was 54 years old.

A state funeral was held for him on 24 June. Many important politicians from across Australia attended, including the Prime Minister at the time, John Howard.

Honours and Lasting Impact

In 2001, Jim Bacon received an honorary citizenship from Xi Jinping, who was then the governor of Fujian Province in China. Bacon had visited China during his university years.

After his passing, in August 2004, the University of Tasmania awarded him an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

He was also appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in June 2005. This high honour was made effective from before his death, as the Order of Australia is not usually given after someone has passed away.

The Jim Bacon Foundation was created in his memory. Its goal was to help cancer patients and their families by providing support and financial aid. The foundation later merged with the Ricky Ponting Foundation in 2013. The Tasmanian Government continues to fund the $30,000 Jim Bacon Memorial Scholarship at the University of Tasmania.

Family Life

Jim Bacon had four sisters: Jenny, Wendy, Janet, and Mary.

He had a long-term relationship with Lynnette Francis, and they had two sons, Mark and Scott. Scott Bacon later followed in his father's footsteps and was elected to the Tasmanian House of Assembly in 2010.

Later, Jim Bacon married Honey Hogan. She was known for being a croupier and the public face of Australia's first casino, Wrest Point Hotel Casino, when it opened in 1973. Through this marriage, he gained a stepson named Shane.