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John Lewis Madden (1896–1971)

This article was published:

This entry is from People Australia

John Lewis Madden (1896-1971) labor politician

Born: 8 July 1896 Launceston. Son of James Joseph, bench clerk, and Maria Josephine Conole. Married: Annie May Peterson, Launceston, 1922. They had one son and two daughters. Died: 16 July 1971 Launceston. Roman Catholic. 

  • Educated St. Mary’s Convent School, Launceston and Christian Brothers’ College, Adelaide;
  • Certificated mechanical, marine and electrical engineer; Apprenticed diesel engineering Salisbury’s Foundry Launceston;
  • Employed Launceston City Council Tramway Workshops; Industrial Inspector and Determinations Inspector, Social Services Dept. 1933/34 to 1936;
  • Member, Amalgamated Engineering Union; Secretary, Launceston Trades Hall Council; Secretary, Launceston Technical College Council; JP, 1936; Royal Commissioner, Motor vehicle taxation 1939; Executive member, Federal ALP;
  • Member Tas House of Assembly, ALP Bass 1936-1956, 1957-69; Contested Bass 1934, 1956, 1969; Seat EC without offices 1939-1942; Minister for Lands and Works 1942-43, Minister for Agriculture 1943-48, Treasurer and Minister for Transport, 1948-56, Minister for Housing and Minister Admin. Police Dept. and 1932 Licensing Act 1959-61; Speaker 1964-69;
  • Secretary-Treasurer Launceston Old Age and Invalid Pensioners’ League; Member, St. Vincent de Paul Society; Member, Sacred Heart College Parents and Friends’ Association; Member, St. Patrick’s Old Collegians’ Club; Member, St. Ailbes Indoor Games Club; Chairman Northern Tasmania Football Association.

S. Bennett & B. Bennett, Biographical Register of the Tasmanian Parliament, 1851–1960, Canberra, 1980.

Original Publication

Citation details

'Madden, John Lewis (1896–1971)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://labouraustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/madden-john-lewis-31940/text39403, accessed 31 May 2025.

© Copyright Labour Australia, 2012

Life Summary [details]

Birth

8 July, 1896
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Death

16 July, 1971 (aged 75)
Launceston, Tasmania, Australia

Religious Influence

Includes the religion in which subjects were raised, have chosen themselves, attendance at religious schools and/or religious funeral rites; Atheism and Agnosticism have been included.

Education
Occupation or Descriptor
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