John Downer
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The Honourable Sir John Downer KCMG KC |
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| 16th Premier of South Australia Elections: 1893 |
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In office 16 June 1885 – 11 June 1887 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Governor | Sir William Robinson |
| Preceded by | John Colton |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Playford II |
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In office 15 October 1892 – 16 June 1893 |
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| Monarch | Victoria |
| Governor | Earl of Kintore |
| Preceded by | Frederick Holder |
| Succeeded by | Charles Kingston |
| 3rd Leader of the Opposition (SA) | |
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In office 1885–1885 |
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| Preceded by | John Cox Bray |
| Succeeded by | Jenkin Coles |
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In office 1887–1889 |
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| Preceded by | Thomas Playford II |
| Succeeded by | John Cockburn |
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In office 1893–1895 |
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| Preceded by | Frederick Holder |
| Succeeded by | William Copley |
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In office 1897–1899 |
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| Preceded by | William Copley |
| Succeeded by | Vaiben Louis Solomon |
| Senator for South Australia | |
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In office 30 March 1901 – 31 December 1903 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
John William Downer 6 June 1843 Adelaide, South Australia |
| Died | 2 August 1915 (aged 72) North Adelaide, South Australia |
| Political party |
Conservative (second term) Protectionist Party |
Sir John William Downer, KCMG, KC (6 July 1843 – 2 August 1915) was the Premier of South Australia twice, from 16 June 1885 until 11 June 1887 and again from 1892 to 1893. He was the first of four Australian politicians from the Downer family dynasty.
Born in Adelaide, John Downer (the son of Henry Downer who came to South Australia in 1838 and his wife Jane, née Field) was educated on a scholarship at St Peter's College, Adelaide, where he was a brilliant student. Later (23 March 1867), he was admitted to the bar, and soon won a reputation as being among Adelaide's most talented and eloquent lawyers.
Downer became a Queen's Counsel in 1878, the same year in which he was elected to the House of Assembly for Barossa. He represented this constituency until 1901, leaving it only to enter federal politics.
In the House of Assembly he soon made his mark and became Attorney-General in John Cox Bray's cabinet on 24 June 1881. He endeavoured to bring in several law reforms, and though his married women's property bill was not passed, he succeeded in carrying bills allowing accused persons to give evidence on oath, and amending the insolvency and marriage acts. The government was defeated in June 1884, but a year later, on 16 June 1885, Downer himself became Premier for the first time, as well as being Attorney-General once again.
While Premier, Downer oversaw the construction of the first train line from Adelaide to Melbourne. He also made significant contributions to establishing irrigation settlements along the Murray River. Although this ministry lasted two years and passed a fair amount of legislation, it was often in difficulties, and in June 1886 had to be reconstructed.
At the Colonial Conference held in London during 1887, Downer represented South Australia, but during his return journey to Australia his government was defeated. This ministry was responsible for a tariff imposing increased protective duties. Downer was not in office again for several years, but in October 1892 again became Premier, taking also the portfolio of Chief Secretary. In May 1893 he exchanged this for the position of Treasurer of South Australia, but was ousted at the 1893 election by liberal Protectionist Kingston with the support of the new Labor Party led by John McPherson. Downer remarked of this party: 'They are very clever fellows. I have great respect for the way they use either side for their purposes with absolute impartiality'. For most of the period until 1899 Downer led the Opposition.
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Wikipedia