|
Son of Robert Fisher, was
born at Crosshouse, Ayrshire, Scotland, on 29 August 1862. He was educated
at the local school, and as a young man worked as a coal-miner. Emigrating
to Australia he arrived in Queensland in 1885, worked as a miner for some
years, read largely in economics and social science, and became a union
leader. In 1893 he was elected to the legislative assembly for Gympie, an
even-tempered tall young Scotchman, full of hopes for social reforms, and
fully recognizing the power of the forces opposed to him. He was secretary
for railways and public works in the Dawson (q.v.) ministry which lasted
only a few days in December 1899, and in the following year brought in a
workers' compensation bill which, however, did not become law.
At the first federal
election held early in 1901 Fisher was elected to the house of
representatives for Wide Bay, Queensland, and held the seat until his
retirement 15 years later. When Watson (q.v.) formed the first labour
ministry in April 1904, Fisher became minister for trade and customs, but
Watson was defeated less than four months later and in 1907 resigned his
leadership of the party on account of failing health. There were men of
greater ability than Fisher in the ranks of labour, but none so safe and
dependable, and he was elected leader. In November 1908 he withdrew his
support from Deakin (q.v.) and became prime minister and treasurer. He
brought in a defence act on similar lines to Deakin's, but found, in the
then state of parties, that it was almost impossible to do really useful
work. He was displaced by the so-called fusion government in June 1909,
but at the general election held in April 1910 labour for the first time
secured a majority of the house, and Fisher became prime minister and
treasurer again. During his rather more than three years in office much
important legislation was passed. The Commonwealth bank was inaugurated,
compulsory military training was introduced, the transcontinental railway
was begun, maternity allowances were brought in, and the Commonwealth took
over the responsibility of the Northern Territory from South Australia.
These were some of the more important of over 100 acts passed and few
parliaments have had a more prolific record. In 1911 Fisher represented
Australia at the Imperial conference and was made a privy councillor. He
visited his birthplace, a remarkable homecoming for the man who had left
as a young miner with no apparent prospects 26 years before, and returned
the honoured prime minister of a great dominion. In the June 1913 general
election labour lost some seats and Fisher resigned, but after the wartime
election held in September 1914 he came back with a working majority. It
was during this campaign that he made his famous declaration that
Australia was prepared to spend her "last man and her last shilling". The
labour cabinet was not entirely a happy family, Fisher began to feel the
strain, and handed over the leadership to W. M. Hughes in October 1915. He
became high commissioner in London in January 1916 and held the position
until 1921. After a visit to Australia he returned to London and lived
quietly until his death on 22 October 1928. He was survived by five sons
and one daughter.
Fisher had no great gifts
as an orator. He could speak clearly and vigorously, he was modest,
sincere, hardworking and courageous, and he believed that the ideals of
his party were for the good of humanity. At Australia House he was a
little out of his element, for one thing his special gifts did not lie in
the direction of after-dinner speaking, though he did good work in looking
after the interests of the Australian soldiers. His greatest value to
Australia was the sanity and moderation of his leadership from 1910 to
1913. Flushed with success at the polls his party might easily have gone
to extremes in legislation under a less stable leader. |
