Philip Lucock

Philip Ernest Lucock, CBE (16 January 1916 – 8 August 1996) was an Australian politician and Presbysterian minister. He served in the House of Representatives from 1952 to 1980, representing the Division of Lyne for the Country Party. He was Deputy Speaker for a record span of over 13 years.

Philip Lucock CBE
Member of the Australian Parliament for Lyne
In office 22 March 1952 – 19 September 1980
Preceded by	Jim Eggins
Succeeded by	Bruce Cowan
Personal details
Born	16 January 1916 Eltham, Kent, England
Died	8 August 1996 (aged 80) Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Nationality	English Australian
Political party	Australian Country Party
Profession	Presbyterian minister, Politician

Early life

Born in Eltham, Kent, on 16 January 1916, Philip Lucock emigrated to New Zealand in 1923, where he was educated.[1][2]

In 1937, after working in the retail trade, 21-year-old Lucock emigrated again, this time to Australia.

Pastoral career

He studied for the ministry at St Andrew's College in Sydney, but suspended his studies to serve in the Royal Australian Air Force between 1941 and 1943 during World War 2.[1][2]

In 1948 Lucock was ordained as a minister of the Presbyterian Church of Australia. He became the minister at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Wingham, New South Wales.[1][2]

Political career

One year after he was ordained, Lucock stood as one of four candidates for the Country Party of Australia in the newly created seat of Lyne. He polled third behind Jim Eggins, who won the seat for the Country Party, and the Labor candidate Edward Hayes.[1][3]

Lucock did not stand at the 1951 poll,[4] but on the death of Jim Eggins in January 1952 a by-election was called.[1] Lucock and Donald Lancaster stood for the Country Party against Edward Hayes. The presence of two Country Party candidates split the vote and Hayes took three thousand votes more than either Lucock or Lancaster, but with preferences from Lancaster, Lucock easily won the seat.[5] When he was sworn in as the member for Lyne on 22 March 1952 Philip Lucock became the first member of the House of Representatives to swear allegiance to Queen Elizabeth II who had ascended to the throne on 6 February.[2]

Once elected Philip Lucock served in the government of Sir Robert Menzies as Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives. Lucock also served in this role under Prime Ministers Harold Holt, John Gorton, William McMahon and Malcolm Fraser.[2][6]

At the 1954 election Donald Lancaster, Lucock's running partner for the 1952 by election, stood against him as the Labor Party candidate. Although he gained 11.4 percent of the vote Lancaster's presence did not stop Lucock from gaining re-election.[7]

In 1969 the seat of Lyne underwent redistribution, with the electorate area moving southward. Although the Labor Party increased its vote by 2 thousand, this did not have any great effect on the result of the election, with Philip Lucock winning by more than ten thousand votes.[8]

Lyne was again redistributed in 1977 with the electorate again contracting from the north. Lucock retained the seat with a margin of 11.4 percent over Labor.[9]

Retirement

After more than 28 years in the Australian Parliament Philip Lucock retired at the 1980 election. He was succeeded by Bruce Cowan.[1] After leaving Parliament he served as Moderator of the Presbyterian Church.[2] He retired to Queensland, living in the Brisbane suburb of Keperra until his death in 1996.[2] His funeral was held in Brisbane and a memorial service was held at St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Wingham, and each were attended by representatives of the Commonwealth Parliament.[2][6]

References

1. Green, Antony. "2008 Lyne By-election". ABC Elections website. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
2. "Condolence Motions" (PDF). House of Representatives Official Hansard. Commonwealth of Australia. 20 August 1996. pp. 26–32. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
3. Adam Carr. "Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election of 10 December 1949". psephos. Adam Carr. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
4. Adam Carr. "Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election of 1951". psephos. Adam Carr. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
5. Adam Carr. "Lyne By-election of 1952". Psephos. Adam Carr. Archived from the original on 26 August 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2006.
6. "Condolence Motions" (PDF). Senate Official Hansard. Commonwealth of Australia. 21 August 1996. pp. 9–11. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 July 2008. Retrieved 2 August 2008.
7. Adam Carr. "Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election of 1954". psephos. Adam Carr. Archived from the original on 2 September 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2006.
8. Adam Carr. "Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election of 1969". psephos. Adam Carr. Archived from the original on 6 September 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2006.
9. Adam Carr. "Commonwealth of Australia Legislative Election of 1977". psephos. Adam Carr. Archived from the original on 8 September 2006. Retrieved 8 October 2006.

External links

Election Results - Division of Lyne 1949–1980

• 1980 Election Results
• 1977 Election Results
• 1975 Election Results
• 1974 Election Results
• 1972 Election Results
• 1969 Election Results
• 1966 Election Results
• 1963 Election Results
• 1961 Election Results
• 1958 Election Results
• 1955 Election Results
• 1954 Election Results
• 1952 By-election Results
• 1951 Election Results
• Election Results

Condolence Motions in the Australian Federal Parliament at the Death of Philip Lucock

• House Of Representatives Official Hansard Tuesday, 20 August 1996—First Period, P 26–32 Condolences at the Death of Philip Earnest Lucock
• Senate Official Hansard Wednesday, 21 August 1996, P 8-11 Condolences at the Death of Philip Earnest Lucock