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Members’ biographical register

Hon Norman Eric Baxter

House

MLC

Party

Country Party later National Country Party Member Country Party 1932–1946 and then Country and Democratic League, Country Party and National Country Party until 1983 Organiser Country and Democratic League 1946–1948 Member Country Party Executive then Council 1950–1983 Parliamentary representative on executive 1954–1958

Date first elected

6 May 1950

Year Retired/Resigned

1983

Electorate(s)

Central

Inaugural Speech

Baxter, Norman Inaugural Speech.pdf

Parliamentary Service

Service

Electorates

MLC Central Province 6 May 1950 (by-election)–21 May 1958 and 22 May 1960–21 May 1983
Contested Northam 15 March 1947, Central Province 10 May 1958

Office

Minister for Health and Community Welfare 8 April 1974–20 May 1975, 5 June 1975–10 March 1977
Secretary Parliamentary Country Party July 1967–April 1974
Secretary Parliamentary National Country Party 1978–1983

Committees

Chairman of Committees 6 August 1963–8 April 1974
Member Joint Printing Committee 1953–1955
Member Standing Committee on Government Agencies 1982–1983
Chairman Select Committee and Hon Royal Commission on Fisheries Act (Crayfishing Industry) 1963–1964
Chairman Select Committee on Builders Registration Act 1960–1962
Chairman Select Committee on Racing and Trotting in WA 1982–1983
Member Joint Select Committee on Criminal Code Act Amendment Bill 1973
Member Select Committee and Hon Royal Commission on Matters Relating to Homosexuality 1973–1974
Member Select Committee on Offices of Profit of MPs and Members’ Contracts with the Crown 1980–1982

Historical Notes

Norman and his father, CF Baxter, with BC and GB Wood, and Sir Charles and RF Court are the only three fathers and sons each to have become a Minister of the Crown in WA

Private Member's Bills

Personal Information

Birth date

21 June 1909

Place of birth

West Perth, Western Australia

Death date

14 November 2003

Cause of death

Place of death

Royal Perth Hospital, Western Australia

Cemetery

Karrakatta Cemetery, Western Australia

Arrived in WA

Parents

Son of Charles Farquharson Baxter, businessperson and MP, and Jessica Minnie Millsom

Marriage and Family

Married (1) 12 November 1934, St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth (Catholic) to Dulcie Eileen Mary Armour, daughter of William David and Florence Beatrice Sly
Children: three sons and one daughter
Divorced 1966
Married (2) 1 December 1967, Perth to Joan Lillian Ellis (nee Hughes), widow, daughter of John and Joan Sylvia Blake
No children
Widowed 1998

Religion

Catholic

Education

Educated Highgate Primary School, Perth Boys’ School and Hale (formerly High School) 1925–1926

Occupation

Farmer

Employment History

Helped brother-in-law to plant crop at Morawa, then employed by Wesfarmers, became 'clerk purchase journal keeper' but employment terminated with onset of depression
Farmer at Balingup from 1929, in partnership with his brother Russell until 1933, sold farm 1946
Credit officer, Wesfarmers 1948–April 1950
Farmer at Werribee 1959–1962
Director Glide Pty Ltd 1957–1975
Established Carawatha Stud, in Wundowie area 1970

Local Government

Principal Honours

Centenary Medal awarded 1 January, 2001 for service to Australian society through parliament

Background/Membership

Name Jesse Norman Eric on birth certificate
Member Volunteer Defence Corps 1940–1945
Left farm in 1972 to live in Dianella, returned in 1985, leased 1998 and returned again to Dianella
Member Primary Producers' Association 1932–1946
Freemason, Master of the Lodge of Fraternity 1967–1968
Secretary Balingup Race Club circa 1938, Balingup Football Club 1942–1946 and Balingup–Greenbushes Race Club 1944–1946
Awarded Centenary of Federation Medal 2003

References

D Black and G Bolton, eds. Biographical Register of Members of the Parliament of Western Australia, Vol. 2, 1930-2010, Western Australian Parliamentary History Project, Perth, 2010 , p. 12-13.
It's an Honour website https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1126216 Accessed 7 February 2019.
West Australian, May 1950.

Bibliography

Further Information