Chifley, Joseph Benedict

Chifley, Joseph Benedict

▪ prime minister of Australia
born Sept. 22, 1885, Bathurst, New South Wales [Australia]
died June 13, 1951, Canberra, A.C.T.
 statesman, prime minister of Australia from 1945 to 1949, and leader of the Australian Labor Party (1945–51). His ministry was noted for banking reform and expansion of social services and immigration, aiding the country's growth in the postwar period.

      Having been a railway driver as a young man, Chifley worked for a rail-workers' union in New South Wales. He then served in Parliament (1928–31) and, failing reelection, engaged in many public activities. His participation on the royal commission on banking (1935–37) shaped his later financial policies.

      When the Labor Party regained control of the government under John Curtin in 1941, Chifley became federal treasurer and imposed strict wartime control over the economy, including expansion of federal taxing powers. He succeeded Curtin in 1945 and soon sponsored legislation governing the interrelations of state and private banks and the federal government. His government also nationalized Qantas (the Australian international airline), and established Trans-Australia Airlines (the government-owned domestic airline). Among other accomplishments of his government were public-health and labour-arbitration bills, agricultural and industrial development, and the founding of the Australian National University in Canberra as a centre for postgraduate research.

      In 1948–49 Chifley altered Australia's traditional hostility toward Asian nations by siding with the Indonesians against the Dutch in the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). His moderate attitude toward the Australian Communist Party and his unsuccessful attempt to nationalize private banks led to his defeat in the elections of 1949. He continued as leader of the Labor opposition in Parliament until his death.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Joseph Benedict Chifley — (* 22. September 1885 in Bathurst, New South Wales; † 13. Juni 1951 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory) war der 16. Premierminister Australiens. Seine Amtszeit dauerte vom 1 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Chifley — Joseph Benedict Chifley Joseph Benedict Chifley (* 22. September 1885 in Bathurst, New South Wales; † 13. Juni 1951 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory) war der 16. Premierminister Australiens. Seine Amtszeit dauerte vom 1 …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Chifley Government — The Right Honourable Ben Chifley 16th Prime Minister of Australia Elections: 1946, 1949, 1951 In office 13 July 1945 …   Wikipedia

  • Benedict — most commonly refers to Saint Benedict of Nursia, the founder of the Order of Saint Benedict and thereby of Western monasticism. It may also may refer to:Peopleaints*Benedict of Aniane *Benedict Biscop *Benedict the Bridge Builder, also known as… …   Wikipedia

  • Chifley, Australian Capital Territory — Chifley Canberra, Australian Capital Territory Population: 2325 (2006 …   Wikipedia

  • Ben Chifley — Joseph Benedict Chifley Joseph Benedict Chifley (* 22. September 1885 in Bathurst, New South Wales; † 13. Juni 1951 in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory) war Politiker der Australian Labor Party und der 16. Premierminister Australiens. Seine …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Chifley — /chif lee/, n. Joseph Benedict, 1885 1951, Australian statesman: prime minister 1945 49. * * * …   Universalium

  • Chifley — /chif lee/, n. Joseph Benedict, 1885 1951, Australian statesman: prime minister 1945 49 …   Useful english dictionary

  • Ben Chifley — The Right Honourable Ben Chifley 16th Prime Minister of Australia Elections: 1946, 1949, 1951 In office 13 July 1945 …   Wikipedia

  • Ben Chifley — Mandats 16e Premier ministre australien 13 juillet  …   Wikipédia en Français

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”