Milton Morris
Milton Morris | |
|---|---|
| Minister for Transport | |
| In office 13 May 1965 – 3 January 1975 | |
| Premier | Sir Robert Askin |
| Preceded by | John McMahon |
| Succeeded by | Wallace Fife |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Maitland | |
| In office 3 March 1956 – 29 August 1980 | |
| Preceded by | Walter Howarth |
| Succeeded by | Peter Toms |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 April 1924 Mayfield, New South Wales |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse | Colleen Joan Burgess |
| Children | One son, three daughters |
| Awards | Officer of the Order of Australia Officer of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch/service | Royal Australian Navy (1942) Australian Army (1942–45) |
| Years of service | 1942–1945 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Volunteer Defence Corps |
| Battles/wars | Second World War |
Milton Arthur Morris AO (born 2 April 1924) is a former Australian politician who represented the Electoral district of Maitland between 3 March 1956 and 29 August 1980 for the Liberal Party.
Early life
He was born on 2 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 has 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 the it. "I loved every minute of it [being Transport Minister]".[1][3]
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 (formally Mayfield Christian Community School)
Honours
- Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) – 1988, for his contribution to politics, youth and the community.[1]
- Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland) – 1989, for service to Poland and its people.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f "The Hon. Milton Arthur MORRIS, AO (1924 – )". Former Members of Parliament. Parliament of New South Wales. Retrieved 30 March 2017.
- ^ Harvey Grennan (23 June 2012). "Why they killed off the Aussie supercar". The Age. Retrieved 26 June 2012.
- ^ a b c "Reflections by Mr Maitland". Maitland Mercury. 28 March 2008. Archived from the original on 5 October 2009. Retrieved 23 February 2010.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "No. 46646". The London Gazette. 29 July 1975. p. 9654.
- 1924 births
- Australian Army soldiers
- Australian businesspeople
- Australian military personnel of World War II
- Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of New South Wales
- Living people
- Members of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
- New South Wales local government politicians
- Officers of the Order of Australia
- Officers of the Order of Polonia Restituta
- Royal Australian Navy personnel of World War II
- Royal Australian Navy sailors