Milton Morris

Milton Arthur Morris AO (born 2 April 1924) is a former Australian politician who represented the Electoral district of Maitland between 3 March 1956 and 29 August 1980 for the Liberal Party of Australia.

Early life

He was born on 2 April 1924 at Mayfield, New South Wales, to Arthur Henry Morris, a railway guard, and his wife Janet Thomson. He was educated at Wickham Public School and Newcastle Junior Boys High School. Morris briefly joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1942 before transferring to the part-time Volunteer Defence Corps, where he served as an anti-aircraft gunner from 1942 until 1945. He married Colleen Joan Burgess on 13 October 1945. They had one son and three daughters.^[1]

Political career

Morris joined the Liberal Party in 1954 and was a member of the Tarro Branch of the Party. He was a Councillor on the Lower Hunter Shire (1954–1958). With the retirement of Incumbent member for Maitland, Walter Howarth, Morris was preselected by the Liberal Party and won the seat at that election. He subsequently won re-election at the 1956, 1959, 1962, 1965, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1976 and 1978 New South Wales State elections.^[1]

During his political career Morris held various portfolios in the Askin Government, Lewis Government and Willis Government including Minister for Transport (1965–1975). During his tenure of that portfolio, he introduced the breathalyser, radar speed traps, compulsory wearing of seat belts and a number of other road-safety initiatives partly though his formation of the scientifically-based Traffic Accident Research Unit, led by Dr Michael Henderson.^[2] He was also Minister for Lands, Minister for Forests (1975–1975) and Minister for Decentralisation and Development (1976–1976).^[1]

He resigned from his seat of Maitland on 29 August 1980 to contest the New South Wales Federal Seat of Lyne for the Liberal Party. The Lyne contest was a three cornered contest between the Labor Party candidate, National Country Party candidate Bruce Cowan and himself. The results of the 1980 Lyne election were close with Morris coming within 2.9% of out voting his National Country opponent and winning through preferences against the Labor candidate in a heavily conservative seat.^[3] On his departure from parliament, he was permitted by Queen Elizabeth II, on the Governor's recommendation, to continue to use the title "The Honourable".^[4]

Later life

Morris has not contested any election since his Lyne campaign. In a 2008 interview with the Maitland Mercury it was noted that he had the nickname 'Mr Maitland'.^[3] In the interview he claimed that he had no regrets about not re-entering politics, but did say that if given the chance would jump at the it. "I loved every minute of it [being Transport Minister]".^[1][3]

Community activity and honours

• Chairman of Hunter Valley Training.
• Honorary Chairman of Lewis House Apprentice Hostel, Mayfield
• Patron of East Maitland sub branch, Returned Serviceman's League.
• Patron – The Mai-Wel Group.
• Patron – Waratah Brass
• Honorary Prefect of Hunter Christian School (formally Mayfield Christian Community School)

Honours

• Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) – 1988, for his contribution to politics, youth and the community.^[1]
• Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland) – 1989, for service to Poland and its people.^[1]

References