Charles McDonald (Australian politician)
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The Honourable Charles McDonald |
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Kennedy |
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In office 30 March 1901 – 13 November 1925 |
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| Preceded by | New seat |
| Succeeded by | Grosvenor Francis |
| 3rd Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives | |
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In office 1 July 1910 – 8 July 1913 |
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| Preceded by | Carty Salmon |
| Succeeded by | Elliot Johnson |
| 3rd Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives - 2nd time | |
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In office 8 October 1914 – 13 June 1917 |
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| Preceded by | Elliot Johnson |
| Succeeded by | Elliot Johnson |
| Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Flinders |
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In office 20 May 1893 – 24 June 1901 |
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| Preceded by | Louis Goldring |
| Succeeded by | Peter Airey |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
25 August 1860 North Melbourne, Victoria |
| Died | 13 November 1925 (aged 65) Melbourne, Victoria) |
| Resting place | Boroondara General Cemetery |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australian Labor Party |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Ann Tregear |
| Occupation | Watchmaker |
| Religion | Presbyterian |
Charles McDonald (25 August 1860 – 13 November 1925) was an Australian politician who served as Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives during the second and third Andrew Fisher Labor governments between 1910 and 1913 and between 1914 and 1917.
Charles McDonald was born in North Melbourne, Victoria. He lived a transient life as a child with his family living in four colonies. He was living in Mudgee, New South Wales, when he left school, becoming an apprentice printer. However, he later switched trades becoming a watchmaker.
McDonald was a watchmaker in Charters Towers in 1890 when he became the President of the Australian Labor Federation based in Brisbane. He played a leading role in the formation of the Australian Labor Party in Queensland.
McDonald was elected in 1893 as member for Flinders in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland. McDonald became known for his mastery of the Standing Orders. He was a member of the Queensland Executive between 1898 and 1903.
In 1901, he successfully stood for the Division of Kennedy, a vast seat in the outback of western Queensland, in the first election for the Australian House of Representatives after Federation. McDonald was known as "Fighting Charlie" or "Fighting Mac" for his vigorous campaigning style. In one campaign, he reportedly rode over 3,000 miles (4,800 km) on bicycle on the rough outback roads.
McDonald became Chairman of Committees between 1906 and 1910. He became the first Labor Speaker in 1910 as Andrew Fisher formed the first Labor majority Government. He served in that position until Labor was narrowly defeated in the 1913 Federal election. McDonald was a confirmed republican who abandoned the traditional Speaker's wig and gown in favour of an ordinary business suit. All Labor Speakers have followed this tradition. He also removed the mace from the table.
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