Charles Collins (New South Wales politician)

Charles Collins (12 May 1850 – 12 April 1898) was an Australian politician.

He was born in Goulburn to Joseph Collins and Lydia Marks. He received a Jewish education locally, and was apprenticed to a merchant around 1865. In 1867 he became a clerk at Narrabri, eventually becoming store manager and then, from 1873, owner of his own store. He later expanded his business to include stores in Walgett, Pilliga and Wee Waa. He was also a Narrabri alderman and served as the town's first mayor. In 1885 he was elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as the member for Namoi, but he retired after a single term. He returned to the Assembly in 1890 via a by-election, switching to the seat of Narrabri in 1894, which he held until his death at Tamworth in 1898. He was variously associated with the Protectionist and Free Trade parties.[1]