John McGrath (New South Wales politician)

The Honourable
John McGrath
Minister for Housing
In office
2 September 1954  15 March 1956
Preceded by Gus Kelly
Succeeded by Abe Landa
Personal details
Born (1893-09-01)1 September 1893
Chicago
Died 20 December 1971(1971-12-20) (aged 78)
Darlinghurst, New South Wales
Political party Australian Labor Party

The Hon. John Francis McGrath (1 September 1893 – 20 December 1971) was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 until 1959 . He was a member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) and held a number of ministerial positions including Minister for Housing.

Early and Personal Life

McGrath was born in Chicago. He was the son of a publican and migrated with his family to Australia at age 9. He was educated at St Aloysius' College (Sydney) and initially worked as an electrician. He became an official of the Electrical Trades Union but left the industry to become a hotel owner. McGrath became active in community organizations in the Rockdale area and was elected as an alderman on Bexley Municipal Council from 1934 till 1941. He was the deputy mayor in 1939-41.

State Parliament

McGrath was the defeated ALP candidate at the 1939 by-election for the seat of Hurstville which was won by Clive Evatt of the Industrial Labor Party. He was eventually elected to the New South Wales parliament as the Labor member for new seat of Rockdale at the 1941 election. He retained the seat for the next 5 elections and retired in 1959.

Government

McGrath held ministerial positions in the government of Joseph Cahill. He was a minister without portfolio in 1953-4, the Minister for Housing in 1954-56 and the Secretary for Public Works from 1956 until his retirement. In this role he was responsible for the early construction work on the Sydney Opera House.

References

Parliament of New South Wales
Preceded by
New seat
Member for Rockdale
1941  1959
Succeeded by
Brian Bannon
Political offices
Preceded by
Gus Kelly
Minister for Housing
1954  1956
Succeeded by
Abe Landa
Preceded by
Jack Renshaw
Secretary for Public Works
1956  1959
Succeeded by
Norm Ryan

as Minister for Public Works

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