Milton Morris

Milton Arthur Morris AO (2 April 1924 – 27 February 2019) was an Australian politician who represented the Electoral district of Maitland between 3 March 1956 and 29 August 1980 for the Liberal Party. He helped pass several laws promoting automobile safety.


Milton Morris

Minister for Transport
In office
13 May 1965  3 January 1975
PremierSir Robert Askin
Preceded byJohn McMahon
Succeeded byWal Fife
Member of the New South Wales Parliament
for Maitland
In office
3 March 1956  29 August 1980
Preceded byWalter Howarth
Succeeded byPeter Toms
Personal details
Born
Milton Arthur Morris

(1924-04-02)2 April 1924
Mayfield, New South Wales
Died27 February 2019(2019-02-27) (aged 94)
Mayfield, New South Wales
Political partyLiberal Party
Spouse(s)Colleen Joan Burgess
ChildrenOne son, three daughters
AwardsOfficer of the Order of Australia
Officer of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland)
Military service
AllegianceAustralia
Branch/serviceRoyal Australian Navy (1942)
Australian Army (1942–45)
Years of service1942–1945
RankPrivate
UnitVolunteer Defence Corps
Battles/warsSecond World War

Early life

He was born in April 1924 at Mayfield, New South Wales, to Arthur Henry Morris, a railway guard, and his wife Janet Thomson. He was educated at Wickham Public School and Newcastle Junior Boys High School. Morris briefly joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1942 before transferring to the part-time Volunteer Defence Corps, where he served as an anti-aircraft gunner from 1942 until 1945. He married Colleen Joan Burgess on 13 October 1945. They had one son and three daughters.[1]

Political career

Morris joined the Liberal Party in 1954 and was a member of the Tarro Branch of the Party. He was a Councillor on the Lower Hunter Shire (1954–1958). With the retirement of Incumbent member for Maitland, Walter Howarth, Morris was preselected by the Liberal Party and won the seat at that election. He subsequently won re-election at the 1956, 1959, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1976 and 1978 New South Wales State elections.[1]

During his political career Morris held various portfolios in the Askin Government, Lewis Government and Willis Government including Minister for Transport (1965–1975). During his tenure of that portfolio, he introduced the breathalyser, radar speed traps, compulsory wearing of seat belts and a number of other road-safety initiatives partly though his formation of the scientifically-based Traffic Accident Research Unit, led by Dr Michael Henderson.[2] He was also Minister for Lands, Minister for Forests (1975–1975) and Minister for Decentralisation and Development (1976–1976).[1]

On 25 June 1972 in Sydney's The Sun-Herald newspaper, an article by motoring journalist, television commentator and successful rally driver Evan Green entitled "160 MPH 'Super Cars' Soon" about proposed high powered V8 engined cars from Holden, Ford and Chrysler Australia that were being developed for the annual Bathurst 500 mile race would and soon be on sale to the Australian public, quoted Morris as saying that he was appalled at these cars—which he labelled "bullets on wheels". This article and Morris' comment would set in motion the so-called Supercar scare which would see the V8 powered Holden LJ Torana GTR XU-1, Ford Falcon GTHO Phase IV and the Chrysler Valiant Charger scrapped by their respective manufacturers.

He resigned from his seat of Maitland on 29 August 1980 to contest the New South Wales Federal Seat of Lyne for the Liberal Party. The Lyne contest was a three cornered contest between the Labor Party candidate, National Country Party candidate Bruce Cowan and himself. The results of the 1980 Lyne election were close with Morris coming within 2.9% of out voting his National Country opponent and winning through preferences against the Labor candidate in a heavily conservative seat.[3] On his departure from parliament, he was permitted by Queen Elizabeth II, on the Governor's recommendation, to continue to use the title "The Honourable".[4]

Later life

Morris had not contested any election since his Lyne campaign. In a 2008 interview with the Maitland Mercury it was noted that he had the nickname 'Mr Maitland'.[3] In the interview he claimed that he had no regrets about not re-entering politics, but did say that if given the chance would jump at it. "I loved every minute of it [being Transport Minister]".[1][3] Morris died in his sleep 27 February 2019.[5]

Community activity and honours

  • Chairman of Hunter Valley Training.
  • Honorary Chairman of Lewis House Apprentice Hostel, Mayfield
  • Patron of East Maitland sub branch, Returned Serviceman's League.
  • Patron – The Mai-Wel Group.
  • Patron – Waratah Brass
  • Honorary Prefect of Hunter Christian School (formerly Mayfield Christian Community School)

Honours

References

  1. "The Hon. Milton Arthur Morris AO (1924–2019)". Former Members of the Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
  2. Harvey Grennan (23 June 2012). "Why they killed off the Aussie supercar". The Age. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
  3. "Reflections by Mr Maitland". Maitland Mercury. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
  4. "No. 46646". The London Gazette. 29 July 1975. p. 9654.
  5. "Milton Morris, AO, Mr Maitland, died aged 94". Maitland Mercury. 27 February 2019. Retrieved 27 February 2019.
  6. "Officer of the Order of Australia entry for The Honourable Milton Arthur Morris". It's an Honour, Australian Honours Database. Canberra, Australia: Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 26 January 1989. Retrieved 29 October 2019.

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by
Walter Howarth
Member for Maitland
1956–1980
Succeeded by
Peter Toms
Political offices
Preceded by
John McMahon
Minister for Transport
1965–1975
Succeeded by
Wal Fife
Preceded by
Tom Lewis
Minister for Lands
1975
Succeeded by
John Mason
New title Minister for Forests
1975
Preceded by
Tim Bruxner
Minister for Decentralisation and Development
1976
Succeeded by
Don Day
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