Claude Matthews (Australian politician)

Claude Hilton Matthews (19 January 1899 – 9 January 1954) was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1934 until his death in 1954 . He was variously a member of the Labor Party (ALP) and the Australian Labor Party (NSW). He held a number of ministerial positions including Colonial Secretary

The Honourable

Claude Matthews
Chief Secretary
In office
21 September 1949  30 June 1950
Preceded byJohn Baddeley
Succeeded byClive Evatt
Personal details
Born(1899-01-19)19 January 1899
Rylstone, New South Wales
Died9 January 1954(1954-01-09) (aged 54)
Sydney
Political partyLabor Party, Australian Labor Party (NSW)

Early and personal life

Matthews was born in Rylstone, New South Wales He was the son of a foreman and was educated at Petersham High School. He worked with the New South Wales Government Railways as a labourer and became an official of the Federated Ironworkers' Association.

State Parliament

Matthews was elected as the Labor member for Leichhardt at the 1934 by-election caused by the resignation of the sitting member Joe Lamaro who unsuccessfully contested the seat of Watson at the 1934 federal election. He retained the seat for the next 7 elections.[1] He committed suicide while still in office in 1954.[2][3]

Government

Matthews held ministerial positions in the government of James McGirr. He held the positions of Minister for Building Materials and Minister for Tourism and Immigration before becoming Colonial Secretary between 1949 and 1950.

References

  1. "The Hon. Claude Hilton Matthews (1899–1954)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 7 May 2019.
  2. "Police probe MLAs death". The Argus. 11 January 1954. Retrieved 18 June 2010 via Trove.
  3. "Former Minister's suicide". The Canberra Times. 26 January 1954. p. 1. Retrieved 14 October 2019 via Trove.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
Joe Lamaro
Member for Leichhardt
1934  1954
Succeeded by
Reg Coady
Political offices
Preceded by
Frank Finnan
Minister for Tourism
1947  1948
Succeeded by
Joshua Arthur
Preceded by
Jack Baddeley
Colonial Secretary
1949  1950
Succeeded by
Clive Evatt
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