William Foster (Australian politician)

William Frederick Foster (29 August 1865 – 21 July 1936) was an Australian politician and member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.

He was born in Brisbane to builder William Foster and Rebecca, née Harwood. The family moved to Sydney, and Foster held various jobs with building-related companies, eventually becoming a partner in a business with his father and brother. In 1891 he began his own business. He married Ada Brees in 1892, with whom he had two sons. From 1914 to 1921 he was on the executive of the Master Builders' Association (vice-president 1916–17, president 1918); he also served on the executive of the Employers' Federation. From 1920 to 1936 he served on Woollahra Council, and was mayor from 1923 to 1924. He was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1925 as a Nationalist member for Eastern Suburbs; he represented Vaucluse from the re-introduction of single-member districts in 1927. He criticised Bertram Stevens' government on its approach to transport policy. On 21 July 1936, Foster collapsed and died on the floor of the Legislative Assembly. He was buried at South Head Cemetery.[1]