Thomas Collins (Australian politician)
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The Honourable Thomas Collins |
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| Member of the Australian Parliament for Hume |
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In office 9 December 1931 – 21 August 1943 |
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| Preceded by | Parker Moloney |
| Succeeded by | Arthur Fuller |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
6 April 1884 Yass, New South Wales |
| Died | 15 April 1945 (aged 61) Young, New South Wales |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Political party | Australian Country Party |
| Spouse(s) | Ruby Violet Summerhayes |
| Occupation | Company manager |
Thomas Joseph "Tom" Collins (6 April 1884 – 15 April 1945) was an Australian politician and stock and station agent, born at Yass, New South Wales to storekeeper John Collins and Mary, née Hartigan. In 1902, having attended the local Catholic school, he enlisted in the 5th Battalion, Australian Commonwealth Horse, to fight in the Boer War. However, by the time Collins's unit arrived, the war had finished.
Collins moved to Young in 1906, where in 1911 he began his own business, which prospered. On 17 February 1914 he married Ruby Violet Summerhayes. He had always been interested in politics and had contested the federal seat of Newcastle in 1913, being a close associate of Charles Hardy, leader of the Riverina Movement. In 1931, having built his firm, Collins, Ellerman & Co., to one of the largest stock and property businesses in New South Wales, he defeated Parker Moloney for the federal seat of Hume for the Country Party. He was never a significant parliamentarian, despite his entertaining manner, and was mainly a representative of rural issues.
Collins was embroiled in the United Australia Party-Country Party leadership conflict which ensued after the death of Prime Minister Joseph Lyons in 1939. The Country Party leader, Sir Earle Page, attempted to prevent Sir Robert Menzies from becoming Prime Minister by exploiting UAP divisions. Collins voiced support of Page on radio, but the following day Page attacked Menzies in parliament, causing Sir Arthur Fadden and Bernard Corser to resign from the Country Party. Collins too distanced himself from Page and, together with Oliver Badman, announced he would not attend party meetings headed by Page.
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