Athol Richardson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theNew South Wales Parliament forAshfield | |
| In office 11 May 1935 – 5 February 1952 | |
| Preceded by | Milton Jarvie |
| Succeeded by | Jack Richardson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1897-05-15)15 May 1897 |
| Died | 22 May 1982(1982-05-22) (aged 85) |
| Spouse | Isabel McCrea Watson |
| Children | One son, one daughter |
| Occupation | Politician/Lawyer |
Athol Railton RichardsonOBE, QC (15 May 1897 – 22 May 1982) was anAustralian politician and judge. Richardson represented theElectoral district of Ashfield for theUnited Australia Party and theLiberal Party from 11 May 1935 until 5 February 1952.
Richardson was born to parents Stephen Arthur Richardson, a Salvation Army officer, and mother Elizabeth Sarah Urquhart inNewcastle, New South Wales. Richardson jnr served inWorld War I in the 2nd and 4th squadrons of theAustralian Flying Corps inFrance from 1917 till 1919. He married Isabel McCrea Watson on 23 February 1928 and had one daughter and one son.[1]
Richardson entered politics by contesting and winning theElectoral district of Ashfield for theUnited Australia Party at the1935 election. He was subsequently re-elected to the seat of Ashfield at the1938,1941 and1944 elections.[2] He resigned to unsuccessfully contest the federal seat ofParkes in 1946.[3] He regained Ashfield at thesubsequent by-election and retained it at the1947 and1950 elections.[2]
During his time in parliament he held various ministerial portfolio's includingMinister for Social Services (13 October 1938 – 5 August 1939),Minister for Health (22 February 1939 – 30 June 1939),Minister for Labour and Industry (26 June 1939 – 5 August 1939) andTreasurer (16 August 1939 – 16 May 1941). He was also Deputy Leader of the Opposition for 1941 until 1945.[1]
Richardson retired from politics upon his appointment as aJudge of the Supreme Court in 1952. During his judicial tenure, Richardson remained a member of theLiberal Party;Tom Hughes describes him as a man of 'orderly habits', but criticises him as 'a well-meaning man who gained marks only for sincerity and effort'.[4] Richardson retired from the bench in 1967.
Richardson died on 22 May 1982, atDarling Point,New South Wales,Australia.[1]
| New South Wales Legislative Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Member for Ashfield 1938 – 1952 | Succeeded by |
| Political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Minister for Social Services 1938 – 1939 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Minister for Labour and Industry 1939 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Treasurer of New South Wales 1939 – 1941 | Succeeded by |
| Party political offices | ||
| Preceded by | Deputy Leader of the United Australia Party 1941 – 1943 | Party disbanded |
| New political party | Deputy Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party 1945 – 1946 | Succeeded by |