John Joseph Harman AM (22 March 1932 – 27 February 1998) was an Australian politician who was a Labor Party member of the Legislative Assembly of

Western Australia Western Australia (commonly abbreviated as WA) is a state of Australia occupying the western percent of the land area of Australia excluding external territories. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Southern Ocean to th ...

from 1968 to 1986, representing the seat of Maylands. He served as

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is a title commonly held by Speaker (politics), presiding officers of parliamentary bodies styled Legislative Assembly, legislative assemblies. The office is most widely used in state and territorial legislatures ...

from 1983 to 1986. Harman was born in

Perth Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia. It is the fourth most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with a population of 2.1 million (80% of the state) living in Greater Perth in 2020. Perth is ...

, and educated at various Catholic schools. After leaving school, he worked for a period as a clerk with the state government's Department of Lands Surveys, and then as a field officer with the Department of Native Welfare. A member of the Civil Service Association executive and a member of the Labor Party from 1960,John Joseph Harman
– Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia. Retrieved 14 May 2016. Harman entered politics at the 1968 state election, defeating the sitting

Liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

member Bob Marshall. After the 1971 election, which saw the election of a Labor government led by

John Tonkin John Trezise Tonkin AC (2 February 1902 – 20 October 1995), popularly known as "Honest John", was an Australian politician. A member of the Labor Party, he served as a Member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for a record 44 ...

, he was appointed chief government

whip A whip is a tool or weapon designed to strike humans or other animals to exert control through pain compliance or fear of pain. They can also be used without inflicting pain, for audiovisual cues, such as in equestrianism. They are generally e ...

. Following a cabinet reshuffle in May 1973, Harman was made Minister for Labour, Minister for Immigration, Minister for Price Control, and Minister for Consumer Protection, although he served only until Labor's defeat at the 1974 election. Harman remained a member of the Labor shadow ministry until 1981, serving under three leaders of the opposition (John Tonkin,

Colin Jamieson Colin John Jamieson, AO JP (26 May 1923 – 27 March 1990), was a politician in Western Australia. A member of the Labor Party, he served as a member of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly from 1953 until 1986, as the Minister for Wo ...

, and Ron Davies). He was elected to the speakership after Labor's victory at the 1983 election, serving until his retirement from politics at the 1986 election. Harman subsequently served as state chairman of the

Australian Bicentennial Authority Australian(s) may refer to: Australia * Australia, a country * Australians, citizens of the Commonwealth of Australia ** European Australians ** Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians descended principally from British colonists ** Aboriginal Aus ...

, and in 1989 was made a Member of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, on the advice of the Australian Gove ...

(AM) for his work.HARMAN, John Joseph
– It's An Honour. Retrieved 14 May 2016.

References

, - , - {{DEFAULTSORT:Harman, John 1932 births 1998 deaths Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Western Australia Trade unionists from Perth, Western Australia Members of the Order of Australia Members of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly Speakers of the Western Australian Legislative Assembly Politicians from Perth, Western Australia 20th-century Australian politicians

See also

References