Ted Innes

Urquhart Edward "Ted" Innes (12 February 1925 – 28 May 2010) was an Australian politician. He was an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1972 to 1983, representing the seat of Melbourne.

Ted Innes
Member of the Australian Parliament
for Melbourne
In office
2 December 1972 – 4 February 1983
Preceded byArthur Calwell
Succeeded byGerry Hand
Personal details
Born(1925-02-12)12 February 1925
Melbourne, Victoria
Died28 May 2010(2010-05-28) (aged 85)
NationalityAustralian
Political partyAustralian Labor Party
OccupationUnionist

Innes was born in Melbourne and was a long-serving state secretary of the Electrical Trades Union prior to entering parliament. He was involved in the state Labor Party at a senior level for many years, including treasurer of the state executive (1967–71), state senior vice-chairman (1971–73) and state chairman (1973–75), as well as a member of the party's national executive from 1969 to 1976.[1][2][3] He was a co-founder of the Centre Unity faction after the 1970 federal intervention in the Victorian branch, along with Clyde Holding and Bill Landeryou, and was reported to be a close friend of Bob Hawke.[4][5]

Innes was elected to the House of Representatives at the 1972 federal election, and served as deputy chairman of committees in the final months of the Whitlam government in 1975. He was a member of the shadow ministry from 1976 to 1980, variously holding the portfolios of immigration (1976), ethnic affairs (1976-77), community relations (1977), the ACT (1977–80), post and telecommunications (1977–80) and productivity (1980).[1]

Innes took an interest in immigration and ethnic affairs, arguing for extending an amnesty and instituting an appeals process for refugees, opposing political deportations and ministerial control of deportations, protecting ethnic radio stations and protesting moves to apply more restrictive criteria to Lebanese migrants. He also had an interest in the Middle East, touring Israel in 1976 and visiting Libya and Lebanon in 1978, meeting with George Habash on the latter trip. He was also a repeated critic of the investigation into and prosecution of suspects in the Sydney Hilton Hotel bombing.[6][7][8][9][10][11][12]

Innes retained preselection in 1979 despite a rumored heavyweight challenge, but was dropped from shadow cabinet in 1980. He caused controversy shortly after his axing when he joined Liberal Minister for Defence Jim Killen, along with a woman friend, on a private VIP flight, despite the Labor Party's regular criticism of Liberal MPs for such flights. He retired at the 1983 federal election after losing preselection to Gerry Hand.[1][13][14][15][16][17]

References
  1. "Biography for Innes, Urquhart Edward". Parliament of Australia. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  2. "Mr E. Innes treasurer". The Canberra Times. Vol. 40, no. 11, 493. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 13 June 1966. p. 6. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  3. "All lands and creeds-- they all want a fair go". Tribune. No. 1545. New South Wales, Australia. 14 February 1968. p. 10. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  4. "A loser not to be taken for a fool". The Age. 5 April 1976. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  5. "Bob Hawke at 50". Sydney Morning Herald. 1 December 1979. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  6. "Ananda three: Landa orders new inquiry". Sydney Morning Herald. 19 June 1984. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  7. "ALP senator repeats torture allegations". The Australian Jewish Times. Vol. 88, no. 12. New South Wales, Australia. 13 December 1979. p. 3. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  8. "Innes Told: "Get Rid of Salemi"". Tribune. No. 2012. New South Wales, Australia. 24 August 1977. p. 11. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  9. "Claim of "Sell Out" on Lebanese Visas". The Australian Jewish Times. Vol. 84, no. 18. New South Wales, Australia. 13 January 1977. p. 3. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. "Feature Points Wedges, Bridges Fences Formula". The Australian Jewish News. Vol. XLII, no. 7. Victoria, Australia. 5 November 1976. p. 3. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  11. "MP Critical on Switch to ABC". The Australian Jewish Times. Vol. 84, no. 3. New South Wales, Australia. 23 September 1976. p. 10. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  12. "Illegal immigrants need more time". Papua New Guinea Post-courier. International, Australia. 26 February 1976. p. 6. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  13. "Innes loses ALP poll for seat". The Canberra Times. Vol. 57, no. 17, 145. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 6 September 1982. p. 3. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  14. "ALP Drops Three From "Cabinet"". The Australian Jewish Times. Vol. 88A, no. 10. New South Wales, Australia. 13 November 1980. p. 1. Retrieved 16 July 2021 – via National Library of Australia.
  15. "Another Hand". The Age. 15 August 1979. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  16. "VIP jet lands MP in strife". Sydney Morning Herald. 9 November 1980. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
  17. "MP silent over VIP flight". Sydney Morning Herald. 10 November 1980. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
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