Tom Burke (Australian politician)

Thomas Patrick "Tom" Burke (August 28 1910 – January 17 1973) was a member of the Parliament of Australia.

Burke was born at Berkshire Valley, near Moora, Western Australia. His birth name was Frederick Thomas and he later called himself Patrick Thomas before becoming Thomas Patrick in 1963. He was educated by correspondence and at Miling State School and later worked as a cartage contractor while studying accountancy. In 1941, he married Madeline Muirson Orr. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in January 1943 and served with the ground staff at Kalgoorlie.Australian Dictionary of Biography
last= Bolton
first= G. C.
authorlink=
year= 1993
id= A130344b
title= Burke, Thomas Patrick (Tom) (1910 - 1973)
accessdate=2008-02-19]

Political career

Burke was elected at the 1943 election to the House of Representatives seat of Perth, representing the Labor Party. Although he had high aspirations he was not selected for the ministry during the Curtin and Chifley governments. He was a strong opponent of H. V. Evatt due to his anti-communist views and in 1955 was banned from representing the Western Australian branch at federal conferences of the party. Unexpectedly, he did not join the Australian Labor Party (Anti-Communist), but he was defeated by Fred Chaney at the 1955 election.

In 1957, Burke was expelled from the party for his persistent vindictive attacks on leader Evatt but regained his membership in 1964. He failed to gain Labor pre-selection for Perth in 1965 and 1968. Instead he promoted his sons careers. Terry Burke became member for Perth from 1968 to 1987. Brian Burke became members of the Western Australian parliament, the latter serving as state premier from February 1983 until February 1988, in which period the WA Inc events were commenced. He died of myocardial infarction in Perth, wife, survived by his three sons and two daughters.

References

Persondata
NAME = Burke, Thomas Patrick
ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Burke, Tom
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Australian politician
DATE OF BIRTH = August 28 1910
PLACE OF BIRTH = Berkshire Valley, near Moora, Western Australia
DATE OF DEATH = January 17 1973
PLACE OF DEATH = Perth, Western Australia