Labour Australia

Mr Patrick Joseph Bennett, a Melbourne journalist of nearly 50 years' standing, and for 43 years a confidant of all parties in the State House died suddenly at his home, Kinkora Road, Hawthorn, today, aged 77.

Mr Bennett began his career on the Evening Standard (subsequently incorporated in The Herald) and joined The Herald staff as political roundsman.

For the next 43 years, until he retired in 1931. Mr Bennett was in the complete confidence of members of all parties and a close friend of many Premiers. Knowing the inner secrets of all political happenings he set a standard of integrity which has never been excelled.

Before the Australian Journalists' Association was formed in 1911 he belonged to the Press Bond. He became a foundation member of the association and subsequently held all official positions, including that of Australian general president. After his retirement from The Herald he was until early this year honorary secretary of the Victorian district.

He was educated at Xavier College and apart from his journalistic career was a well-known member of the Australian Natives' Association and a founder of the Friendly Societies' Dispensary at Hawthorn.

He is survived by a widow, two sons (Mr Peter Bennett, of the Sun News-Pictorial editorial staff), and Lieut.-Col. Alan Bennett), and three daughters (Misses Florence and Mona Bennett, and Mrs de Ferranti of Geelong).

The funeral will be held next Wednesday at a time to be fixed, following Requiem Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Hawthorn.

The general secretary of the A.J.A. (Mr S. E. Pratt) said today that Mr Bennett had set a standard of integrity which had done much to raise the profession to its present level in public respect.