Ron Withnall facts for kids
Ronald John Withnall (born December 9, 1914 – died September 16, 1990) was an Australian politician and lawyer. He was known for his strong beliefs and his important role in helping the Northern Territory gain more control over its own government.
| Years | Term | Electoral division | Party | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974–1977 | 1st | Port Darwin | Independent | |
Contents
Early Life and Legal Career
Ron Withnall was born in Townsville, Queensland. He went to high school at Canterbury High School in Sydney. After high school, he studied law at the University of Sydney.
Later, he moved to the Northern Territory. For many years, he worked as the Crown Law Officer for the Territory. This job meant he was a top lawyer who advised the government. In 1968, he became the first president of the Northern Territory Law Society. This group helps lawyers and makes sure laws are fair.
Journey into Politics
Ron Withnall first joined the Northern Territory Legislative Council in 1960. He was appointed because of his role as Crown Law Officer. The Legislative Council was a group that helped make laws for the Territory.
In 1966, he ran for a seat in the Legislative Council and won. This meant people voted for him to represent them. As an elected member, Ron Withnall had very strong opinions on some topics. He voted against some changes, showing his traditional views.
Fighting for Self-Government
As a member of the Legislative Council, Ron Withnall became famous. He was a strong supporter of "self-determination." This means he believed the Northern Territory should have more power to make its own decisions. He wanted it to be less controlled by the national government.
He worked hard in a campaign that led to a big change. This change was the creation of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly in 1974. The Assembly gave the Territory more control over its own laws and future.
In the first elections for the new Assembly, Ron Withnall ran as an independent. This means he did not belong to a major political party. He won the seat for Port Darwin. He was one of only two members not from the Country Liberal Party in that first Assembly. The other independent was Dawn Lawrie. However, he only served one term in the Assembly. After that, Tom Harris from the Country Liberal Party took his place.
Legacy and Remembrance
Ron Withnall passed away in late 1990. After his death, many people in the Assembly spoke about his contributions. They shared their sadness and respect for him.
Shane Stone, who later became a politician for Port Darwin, spoke highly of Ron Withnall. He called him a "fearless and uncompromising advocate." This means Ron Withnall was brave and stood firm in his beliefs. He strongly supported self-government and statehood for the Territory. Statehood means becoming a state, like Queensland or New South Wales.
In 1994, Marshall Perron, who was the Chief Minister at the time, also praised Ron Withnall. He recognized Withnall's important role in helping the Territory achieve self-governance. An interview with Ron Withnall from 1976 is kept at the National Library of Australia. This shows his importance in the history of the Northern Territory.
