John Drew (Australian politician)

John Michael Drew (17 October 1865 – 17 July 1947) was an Australian politician who served as a member of the Western Australian Legislative Council for 41 years in two separate terms between 1900 and his death in 1947. Born at Wanerenooka, Northampton, Western Australia, Drew established and edited several newspapers circulating in the Geraldton region before entering politics. A strong opponent of federation, he was elected to the Legislative Council in 1900. Nominally independent, Drew aligned himself with the Labor Party, and served in several Labor ministries during the early 1900s, in positions such as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Lands, and Colonial Secretary. He officially joined the party in 1911, having been admitted to caucus sittings the previous year. During World War I, Drew supported conscription, but this issue, coupled with the ineffectual Scaddan Ministry, led to him losing his seat at the 1918 election. He regained his seat at the 1924 election, and subsequently served as chief secretary of the party, as well as Minister for Education, Health, and the North-West. Drew died of cancer in 1947, and was buried at Karrakatta Cemetery.^[1]

The Honourable John Drew MLC
Drew in 1927
Colonial Secretary of Western Australia
In office 7 June 1905 – 5 August 1905
Preceded by	George Taylor
Succeeded by	Walter Kingsmill
Minister for Education of Western Australia
In office 16 April 1924 – 24 April 1930
Preceded by	John Ewing
Succeeded by	Norbert Keenan
In office 7 October 1911 – 27 July 1916
Preceded by	James Connolly
Succeeded by	Hal Colebatch
Member of the Western Australian Parliament for Central Province
In office 14 May 1900 – 21 May 1918
Preceded by	New position
Succeeded by	Joshua Mills
In office 16 April 1924 – 17 July 1947
Preceded by	Joshua Mills
Succeeded by	Harold Daffen
Personal details
Born	(1865-10-17)17 October 1865 Northampton, Western Australia
Died	17 July 1947(1947-07-17) (aged 81) Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Political party	Independent (1900–1910) Labor Party (1910–1947)

References

1. Bain, Mary Albertus. Drew, John Michael (1865–1947) – Australian Dictionary of Biography. Retrieved 21 July 2012.