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John William Downer

The Honourable Sir
John Downer
KCMG KC
John Downer (Australian politician).jpg
16th Premier of South Australia
Elections: 1893
In office
16 June 1885 – 11 June 1887
Monarch Victoria
Governor Sir William Robinson
Preceded by John Colton
Succeeded by Thomas Playford II
In office
15 October 1892 – 16 June 1893
Monarch Victoria
Governor Earl of Kintore
Preceded by Frederick Holder
Succeeded by Charles Kingston
3rd Leader of the Opposition (SA)
In office
1885–1885
Preceded by John Cox Bray
Succeeded by Jenkin Coles
In office
1887–1889
Preceded by Thomas Playford II
Succeeded by John Cockburn
In office
1893–1895
Preceded by Frederick Holder
Succeeded by William Copley
In office
1897–1899
Preceded by William Copley
Succeeded by Vaiben Louis Solomon
Senator for South Australia
In office
30 March 1901 – 31 December 1903
Personal details
Born John William Downer
(1843-07-06)6 July 1843
Adelaide, South Australia
Died 2 August 1915(1915-08-02) (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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