Lionel Bowen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Honourable Lionel Bowen AC
Deputy Prime Minister of Australia
In office 11 March 1983 – 4 April 1990
Prime Minister	Bob Hawke
Preceded by	Doug Anthony
Succeeded by	Paul Keating
Deputy Leader of the Labor Party
In office 22 December 1977 – 4 April 1990
Leader	Bill Hayden Bob Hawke
Preceded by	Tom Uren
Succeeded by	Paul Keating
Manager of Opposition Business
In office 10 November 1980 – 11 March 1983
Leader	Bill Hayden Bob Hawke
Preceded by	Chris Hurford
Succeeded by	Ian Sinclair
Attorney-General of Australia
In office 13 December 1984 – 4 April 1990
Leader	Bob Hawke
Preceded by	Gareth Evans
Succeeded by	Michael Duffy
Vice-President of the Executive Council
In office 14 July 1983 – 24 July 1987
Leader	Bob Hawke
Preceded by	Mick Young
Succeeded by	Mick Young
Minister for Trade
In office 11 March 1983 – 13 December 1984
Leader	Bob Hawke
Preceded by	Doug Anthony
Succeeded by	John Dawkins
Minister for Manufacturing Industry
In office 6 June 1975 – 11 November 1975
Leader	Gough Whitlam
Preceded by	Jim McClelland
Succeeded by	Bob Cotton
Special Minister of State
In office 30 November 1973 – 6 June 1975
Leader	Gough Whitlam
Preceded by	Don Willesee
Succeeded by	Doug McClelland
Postmaster-General
In office 19 December 1972 – 12 June 1974
Leader	Gough Whitlam
Preceded by	Lance Barnard
Succeeded by	Reg Bishop
Member of the Australian Parliament for Kingsford Smith
In office 25 October 1969 – 19 February 1990
Preceded by	Dan Curtin
Succeeded by	Laurie Brereton
Personal details
Born	(1922-12-28)28 December 1922 Ultimo, New South Wales, Australia
Died	1 April 2012(2012-04-01) (aged 89) Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Political party	Labor
Spouse	Claire Clement
Children	8
Alma mater	University of Sydney
Occupation	Solicitor
Military service
Allegiance	Australia
Branch/service	Australian Army
Years of service	1941–1945
Rank	Corporal

Lionel Frost Bowen was an important Australian politician. He was born on 28 December 1922 and passed away on 1 April 2012. He was the deputy leader of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 1977 to 1990. He also served as the sixth Deputy Prime Minister of Australia in the Hawke government from 1983 to 1990.

Bowen grew up in Sydney in a working-class family. He served in the Australian Army during World War II. After the war, he studied law at the University of Sydney. He became the mayor of Randwick in 1948. Later, he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1962 to 1969.

In 1969, Bowen was elected to the Australian House of Representatives, representing the area of Kingsford Smith. He held several important roles in the Whitlam government. These included Postmaster-General (1972–1974) and Attorney-General (1984–1990). He retired from politics in 1990.

Early Life and Education

Lionel Bowen was born in Ultimo, a suburb of Sydney. His father left the family when Lionel was 10 years old. His mother worked as a cleaner and also cared for her sick brother and elderly mother.

Bowen went to Cleveland Street public school and Marcellin College Randwick. He then studied at the University of Sydney. In 1946, he earned a law degree and became a solicitor. He also served as a corporal in the Second Australian Imperial Force during World War II, from 1941 to 1945.

A Career in Politics

Local and State Government

Lionel Bowen started his political career on the Randwick Council. He became the Mayor in 1948. From 1962 to 1969, he served in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly, representing the area of Randwick.

Joining Federal Parliament

In 1969, Bowen was elected to the Parliament of Australia. He represented the seat of Kingsford Smith in the Australian House of Representatives. From 1972 to 1975, he held several important positions in the Whitlam government. These included:

• Minister for Manufacturing Industry
• Special Minister of State
• Postmaster-General

Working Behind the Scenes

Bowen was known for working quietly behind the scenes. He didn't always seek the spotlight. One of his big achievements was helping to get support for funding for non-government schools. He did this while acting as education minister.

Deputy Leader and Deputy Prime Minister

After the 1977 election, Gough Whitlam resigned as Labor leader. Bowen ran for the leadership but lost to Bill Hayden. However, he became the Deputy Leader of the Labor Party. He kept this role when Bob Hawke became leader in 1983.

When Hawke's party won the 1983 election, Bowen became the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia. He also served as Minister for Trade. Later, he became the Attorney-General.

In 1988, Bowen supported four referendums to change the Australian Constitution. However, these changes were not approved by the public. He retired from federal politics before the 1990 election. Paul Keating took over his role as Deputy Prime Minister.

Life After Politics

After leaving politics, Lionel Bowen continued to serve the community. From 1990 to 1995, he was the Chairman of the National Gallery of Australia. He also had a strong interest in horseracing.

He received several awards for his service:

• In 1990, he was given the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.
• In 1991, he was made a Companion of the Order of Australia. This award recognized his service to the community and politics.
• In 2001, he received a Centenary Medal.

Family Life

Lionel Bowen married his wife, Claire, in 1953. They had eight children together: three daughters and five sons. He lived in the same home in Kensington for 73 years. His son, Tony, also became a mayor of the City of Randwick.

Lionel Bowen passed away on 1 April 2012. He had been unwell for some years. A special state funeral was held for him on 11 April 2012.

His Legacy

Several places and buildings are named after Lionel Bowen to honor his contributions:

• The Family Court of Australia and the Federal Magistrates Court are in the Lionel Bowen Building in Goulburn Street, Sydney.
• The main library in the City of Randwick is called the Lionel Bowen Library.
• Lionel Bowen Park is located in the suburb of Mascot.

Gallery

• 

  Bowen with German Federal Minister of Justice Hans A. Engelhard in April 1987

• 

  The Lionel Bowen Building in Goulburn Street, Sydney