Pat Morton
Encyclopedia
Philip Henry Morton (28 October 191018 January 1999) was an Australian businessman and politician. Born in Lismore in Northern New South Wales to a prominent political family and educated at Lismore High School
, Morton left school at fourteen to be employed in a legal firm, before branching out into various businesses. Moving to Sydney, Morton first entered politics in 1944 as an Alderman on Mosman Municipal Council, rising to be Mayor in 1946. Morton then entered the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
on 3 May 1947, representing the Electoral district of Mosman
for the Liberal Party of Australia
.
Morton soon rose through the party ranks, becoming touted as a possible leader. When the Liberals lost their third election under party leader Vernon Treatt
, Morton contested the leadership in July 1954. Although Morton was defeated, Treatt did not stay long, resigning in August. Morton then stood, but was deadlocked against party whip, Robert Askin
, and Askin then asked Murray Robson to take the leadership. Robson proved ineffective and was deposed in September 1955 in a party spill and Morton was elected to succeed him as Leader of the New South Wales Opposition
.
Morton contested as Leader the 1956
and 1959
elections, gaining seats each time but failing to defeat the long-standing Labor Government. A few months after the 1959 election, Morton was deposed as Leader by now-Deputy Leader Askin in July 1959. He remained on the backbenches until Askin led the Liberal Party to its first electoral victory in May 1965
, whereupon Morton was appointed as the Minister for Local Government
and Minister for Highways. He served in the cabinet, becoming prominent and controversial in his role in the reorganisation of the City of Sydney
as Local Government Minister and state planning regulations, until he retired from parliament in June 1972. He died in Mosman aged 88 in 1999.
, the son of Arthur Richmond Morton and Maria Morton. Although born on the north coast of New South Wales, Morton's family were prominent members of the Shoalhaven District on the New South Wales south coast. Morton's grandfather, Henry Gordon Morton, born in Edinburgh
, Scotland
in 1828, arrived in Australia in 1852 and was a surveyor for the Berry Estate
and the first Mayor of Numbaa, the private town founded by Alexander Berry
.
Henry Morton and his wife Jane Fairlies had four sons: Mark Fairlies Morton, who served as Mayor and Alderman on Nowra Municipal Council and the NSW Parliament from 1901 to 1938 for Shoalhaven
, Allowrie
and Wollondilly
; Henry Douglas Morton
, who served the NSW Parliament from 1910 to 1920 for Hastings and Macleay
and as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
in 1913; Philip Henry Morton, who served as member for Shoalhaven
from 1889 to 1898 and later as an Alderman on the Sydney City Council from 1904 to 1908; and Pat's father, Alexander Richmond Morton, who, after serving as an Alderman on Nowra Municipal Council, moved with his wife to Lismore and served as an Alderman on Lismore Municipal Council
.
Morton was educated at Lismore High School
, which he left at the age of 14 to be employed in a law firm, but had a varied career in many different businesses. On 31 March 1937, He married Nance Maude on 31 March 1937 and had two daughters, Patricia and Margaret. Morton moved to Mosman, New South Wales
, where he was elected to the Mosman Municipal Council in 1944 as an Alderman
, rising to become Mayor in 1946.
, becoming a member of the Balmoral
local branch and a federal councillor. Morton soon joined the NSW Branch under party Leader Vernon Treatt
and stood for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
seat of Mosman
at the state election
on the 3 May 1947. At the election he succeeded in defeating the conservative Independent member, The Reverend Donald Macdonald
, with 55.56% of the vote.
Treatt led the Coalition again at the 17 June 1950 election
, which resulted in a hung parliament
, with the Coalition gaining 12 seats and a swing of 6.7% for a total of 46 seats. With the Labor Party also holding 46 seats, the balance of power lay with the two re-elected Independent Labor members, James Geraghty
and John Seiffert
, who had been expelled from the party for disloyalty during the previous parliament. Under a legalistic interpretation of the ALP rules, Seiffert was readmitted to the party and, together with the support of Geraghty, Premier James McGirr
and Labor were able to stay in power. Morton was reelected with 77.28%. Morton also finished his term on Mosman Municipal Council in 1951.
At the 14 February 1953 election
, Morton retained his seat with 75.59%, The Liberals, however, suffered a total loss of ten seats and a swing against them of 7.2%. Reversing the gains made at the previous election, confidence in Treatt's leadership decayed. The Liberal Party soon descended into factional in-fighting, culminating in the resignation of Deputy Leader Walter Howarth
on the 22 July 1954, who publicly announced it on 4 July citing that he felt that Treatt doubted his loyalty. He was replaced by Party Whip Robert Askin
. The resignation split the party and sparked a leadership challenge from Morton, who criticised Treatt's "lack of aggression" towards the Labor Government. At the party meeting on 6 July, Treatt narrowly defeated Morton with 12 votes to 10.
With party support eroded, Treatt did not remain long as leader afterwards. On Friday 6 August 1954, Treatt announced that he would resign as leader on 10 August. At the following party meeting, after a deadlocked vote between Askin and Morton, Askin persuaded Murray Robson to accept the Leadership of the Liberal Party as a compromise candidate. Like other senior members of the party, after having no conservative government since Alexander Mair in 1941, Robson had no experience in government, he had little interest in policy except for Cold War anti-communism, ignored majority views of his party and fellow parliamentary colleagues and further alienated party members by trying to forge a closer alliance with Michael Bruxner
's Country Party. Over a year after Robson had assumed the leadership, at a party meeting on 20 September 1955, senior party member Ken McCaw
moved that the leadership be declared vacant, citing that Robson's leadership lacked the qualities necessary for winning the next election. The motion was carried 15 votes to 5. Robson then moved a motion to prevent Morton, who was the only person nominated for leader, from taking the leadership. This was defeated 16 votes to 6 and Morton was elected unnopposed as leader, with Robert Askin
remaining as Deputy Leader.
and Leader of the Opposition
, Morton had to direct the campaign for the upcoming election in early 1956. At the official campaign launch on 15 February, Morton began by accusing the Cahill
government of losing its way and wasting public funds, while promising to invest in public works, education and health. At the election
on 3 March 1956, the Liberals gained five seats (Coogee
, Drummoyne
, Georges River
, Parramatta
and Sutherland
) and the Country Party under Michael Bruxner
regained the seat of Armidale
, reducing the government's majority from twenty to six. Morton retained Mosman with 78.74%. Although the Coalition had failed to win government, an official report from the Liberal Party State Council blamed the defeat on the seat redistribution, the abolition of postal voting
and the strong right-wing Labor support for Premier Cahill.
Morton again led the opposition to the ballot at the 21 March 1959 election
, which resulted in an overall gain of three seats but the loss of Sutherland and Parramatta to Labor. After counting was finalised the Cahill Government was left with an overall majority of four seats. Many attributed the loss to the Opposition's failure to back up its promises with actual figures, which led Premier Cahill to nickname Morton "Promising Pat". Morton retained Mosman again with a significant 90.16% of the vote.
During his time as leader, Morton had refused to give up his various business interests, including as a manager of a motor accessories distributor from 1956 until 1965 and a director of Coventry Tool and Gauge Company in 1958, among others. This lead many to accuse him of not focusing on his political responsibilities, including a Sydney Morning Herald article that said called Morton a "part-time" leader and stated that: "One of the points that told against Morton was his refusal to renounce or curtail his considerable business interests. In fact he increased them during the life of the last Parliament." Morton's leadership was further undermined when in April 1959, Liberal backbench MP for Manly, Douglas Darby
, challenged Morton for the leadership. Although Morton won the vote 22 votes to 6, the result was interpreted as only occurring because there was no other alternative to Morton. For his last few months as Leader, confidence in his leadership did not recover.
On 14 July 1959, three Liberal MLAs (Geoffrey Cox
, Ivan Black
and Douglas Cross
) called on Morton to resign, stating that the party needed a full-time leader and that Morton no longer commanded the majority support of his colleagues. Morton refused and instead called an emergency meeting on 17 July to confirm his leadership. Soon after, the two main opponents to Morton, the Member for Earlwood, Eric Willis
, and Deputy Leader Robert Askin
, declared that they would only take the Leadership if they were given an absolute majority of 28 votes. At the party meeting, Morton was removed as Leader by two votes. Willis then surprised many by deciding not to put his name forward for nomination, leaving Askin as the only contender. Askin was subsequently elected unanimously as leader, with Willis eventually becoming Deputy Leader. Unlike his predecessor, Robson, Morton accepted his loss well, declaring that there would be "no recriminations" and pledged loyalty to Askin.
On his deposition, a Sydney Morning Herald editorial summed up his leadership thus: "True, the margin [of the last election] was slender. And, true, Morton campaigned vigorously. But his punches seemed to be rather wild. He would have done better by directing his blows to a few vital points instead of trying to hit at anything in sight. In addition to losing the last election, when Labour seemed at its most vulnerable after 18 years of office, Mr Morton further disappointed his colleagues - indeed, antagonised some of them - by expanding his private business interests when he was being urged to concentrate wholly on the job of Leader of the Opposition. However, the sad truth is that the genial Mr Morton has never measured up as a sagacious, inspiring leader."
At the 3 March 1962 election
, Askin led the Coalition to another defeat to the Labor Party, now under Bob Heffron, who had become Premier following Cahill's death in October 1959. Morton retained his seat again with 80.76%. Heffron was Premier until his retirement on 30 April 1964. He was succeeded by Jack Renshaw
, whose tenure was perceived to be the last days of a party which, after almost a quarter of a century in government, was tired. At the May 1965 election
, Askin led the Coalition to its first ever state electoral victory, gaining eight seats and a swing of 5.6% to achieve a majority of two. Askin became the first Liberal Premier. Morton was re-elected with 82.30%.
and Minister for Highways, being sworn in by the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Eric Woodward
at Government House, Sydney
on 13 May 1965. As Minister, Morton was involved in the first dismissal of Warringah Shire Council
in April 1967 which was triggered by the gaoling of two councillors for bribery. The Councillors involved, Dennis Thomas and George Knight, were prosecuted under the Secret Commissions Prohibition Act 1919 (NSW) for receiving bribes from a development company to influence planning and development decisions, and both received gaol sentences. From 1967 to 1968 he appointed several public servants as Administrators to serve until a new council could be elected.
As a Minister of the Crown, Morton oversaw the rapid escalation of building development in inner-city Sydney and the central business district, which followed in the wake of his controversial 1967 abolition of Sydney City Council and a redistribution of municipal electoral boundaries that was aimed at reducing the power of the rival Australian Labor Party
. On its abolition, Morton commented that it was "essential for Sydney's progress" and replaced the City Council with a Commission, headed by his predecessor, Vernon Treatt
. At the 24 February 1968 election
, Askin increased his majority by six seats. Morton retained his seat with 73.55%.
Morton soon gained a reputation as a strong advocate for allowing free enterprise and business to take precedence over planning controls and government regulation. His time as Minister was marked by increasing strains on state infrastructure and his pro-development stance was largely attributed as an attempt to alleviate these problems. Despite this, Morton and his State Planning Authority were continuously criticised for not being totally accountable to the public, particularly as the pro-business Sydney Commissioners worked side-by-side with the Planning authority to increase developments in the Sydney CBD to their highest levels ever, embodied by the construction of the MLC Centre
, the demolition of the Theatre Royal, Sydney
and the Australia Hotel
. Among the most controversial schemes planned by his government were also a massive freeway system that was planned to be driven through the hearts of historic inner-city suburbs including Glebe
and Newtown
and an equally ambitious scheme of 'slum clearance' that would have brought about the wholescale destruction of the historic areas of Woolloomooloo and The Rocks
. This eventually culminated in the 1970s Green ban
movement led by Unions Leader Jack Mundey
, to protect the architectural heritage of Sydney.
At the 13 February 1971 election
, Askin's majority was reduced by four seats to the Labor Party under Pat Hills. Morton retained his seat, despite a significant reduction in his majority to 62.68%. Morton stayed in office for another year when, on 16 June 1972 he retired from politics. At the time of his departure it had been rumoured that he had been threatening to dismiss Blacktown City Council if they did not stop blocking a $200 million development in Mount Druitt
.
" for life, for having served as a Minister of the Crown and on the Executive Council of New South Wales
. Morton's mid-term retirement caused a by-election in his seat of Mosman. At the 29 July 1972 by-election
he was succeeded by Liberal candidate David Arblaster
with 51% of the primary vote. On his retirement, Morton was appointed as a Trustee of the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales, becoming Chairman in 1976. He died on 18 January 1999 at his Mosman home, survived by his eldest daughter, Patricia. His youngest daughter Margaret having died of melanoma in 1987. His funeral was held at St Luke's Anglican Church, Mosman, on 22 January 1999.
Lismore High School
Lismore High School, is a school located in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, on Dalley Street. It is a co-educational high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1920 at its first site on...
, Morton left school at fourteen to be employed in a legal firm, before branching out into various businesses. Moving to Sydney, Morton first entered politics in 1944 as an Alderman on Mosman Municipal Council, rising to be Mayor in 1946. Morton then entered the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
on 3 May 1947, representing the Electoral district of Mosman
Electoral district of Mosman
Mosman was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1913 and named after and including the Sydney suburb of Mosman. In 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, it was absorbed into Middle Harbour. Mosman...
for the Liberal Party of Australia
Liberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
.
Morton soon rose through the party ranks, becoming touted as a possible leader. When the Liberals lost their third election under party leader Vernon Treatt
Vernon Treatt
Sir Vernon Haddon Treatt KBE, MM, QC was an Australian lawyer, soldier, Rhodes Scholar and politician. Born in Singleton, New South Wales and educated at Shore School, Treatt interrupted his studies at the University of Sydney to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War...
, Morton contested the leadership in July 1954. Although Morton was defeated, Treatt did not stay long, resigning in August. Morton then stood, but was deadlocked against party whip, Robert Askin
Robert Askin
Sir Robert William Askin GCMG, was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party of Australia. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971...
, and Askin then asked Murray Robson to take the leadership. Robson proved ineffective and was deposed in September 1955 in a party spill and Morton was elected to succeed him as Leader of the New South Wales Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)
The role of the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in New South Wales is a title held by the leader of the largest minority party in the state lower house, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly...
.
Morton contested as Leader the 1956
New South Wales state election, 1956
The 1956 New South Wales state election was held on 3 March 1956. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1952 redistribution...
and 1959
New South Wales state election, 1959
The 1959 New South Wales state election was held on 21 March 1959. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1957 redistribution...
elections, gaining seats each time but failing to defeat the long-standing Labor Government. A few months after the 1959 election, Morton was deposed as Leader by now-Deputy Leader Askin in July 1959. He remained on the backbenches until Askin led the Liberal Party to its first electoral victory in May 1965
New South Wales state election, 1965
The 1965 New South Wales state election was held on 1 May 1965. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1961 redistribution...
, whereupon Morton was appointed as the Minister for Local Government
Minister for Local Government (New South Wales)
The New South Wales Minister for Local Government has responsibilities which includes all Local Government areas and related legislation in NSW....
and Minister for Highways. He served in the cabinet, becoming prominent and controversial in his role in the reorganisation of the City of Sydney
City of Sydney
The City of Sydney is the Local Government Area covering the Sydney central business district and surrounding inner city suburbs of the greater metropolitan area of Sydney, Australia...
as Local Government Minister and state planning regulations, until he retired from parliament in June 1972. He died in Mosman aged 88 in 1999.
Early life and background
Pat Morton was born on 28 October 1910 in Lismore, New South WalesLismore, New South Wales
Lismore is a subtropical town in northeastern New South Wales, Australia. Lismore is the main population centre in the City of Lismore local government area. Lismore is a regional centre in the Northern Rivers region of the State.-History:...
, the son of Arthur Richmond Morton and Maria Morton. Although born on the north coast of New South Wales, Morton's family were prominent members of the Shoalhaven District on the New South Wales south coast. Morton's grandfather, Henry Gordon Morton, born in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
in 1828, arrived in Australia in 1852 and was a surveyor for the Berry Estate
Berry, New South Wales
Berry is a small Australian town in the Shoalhaven region of the NSW South Coast in the state of New South Wales, located south of the state capital, Sydney. The indigenous people of the area were the Wodi Wodi people. In the 1810s, George William Evans, Government Surveyor, reported on the Berry...
and the first Mayor of Numbaa, the private town founded by Alexander Berry
Alexander Berry
Alexander Berry was a Scottish-born surgeon, merchant and explorer who in 1822 was given a land grant of 10,000 acres and 100 convicts to establish the first European settlement on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia.This settlement became known as the Coolangatta Estate and later...
.
Henry Morton and his wife Jane Fairlies had four sons: Mark Fairlies Morton, who served as Mayor and Alderman on Nowra Municipal Council and the NSW Parliament from 1901 to 1938 for Shoalhaven
Electoral district of Shoalhaven
Shoalhaven was a former electoral district for the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1859 to 1904. It included the lower part of the Shoalhaven valley. It replaced parts of Eastern Camden and St Vincent. It was replaced by Allowrie.-Members for Shoalhaven:...
, Allowrie
Electoral district of Allowrie
Allowrie was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales first created in 1904 and replacing Shoalhaven and part of Moruya. Its name appears to be Aboriginal, meaning "pleasant place near the sea" or "high place near the sea" and may be the source of...
and Wollondilly
Electoral district of Wollondilly
Wollondilly is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is currently held by Jai Rowell of the Liberal Party of Australia....
; Henry Douglas Morton
Henry Morton (politician)
Henry Douglas Morton was an Australian politician.Born at Numbaa near Nowra to surveyor Henry Gordon Morton and Jane Fairles , he attended Numbaa Public School and then Hurstville College at Goulburn before becoming a bank teller at the Commercial Banking Company of Sydney...
, who served the NSW Parliament from 1910 to 1920 for Hastings and Macleay
Electoral district of Hastings and Macleay
Hastings and Macleay was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1894 to 1920. It was created with the division of the two-member electorate of Hastings and Manning. In 1920 proportional representation was introduced and Hastings and Macleay...
and as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Speaker of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly is the presiding officer of the Legislative Assembly, New South Wales's lower chamber of Parliament. The current Speaker is Shelley Hancock, who was elected on 3 May 2011...
in 1913; Philip Henry Morton, who served as member for Shoalhaven
Electoral district of Shoalhaven
Shoalhaven was a former electoral district for the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1859 to 1904. It included the lower part of the Shoalhaven valley. It replaced parts of Eastern Camden and St Vincent. It was replaced by Allowrie.-Members for Shoalhaven:...
from 1889 to 1898 and later as an Alderman on the Sydney City Council from 1904 to 1908; and Pat's father, Alexander Richmond Morton, who, after serving as an Alderman on Nowra Municipal Council, moved with his wife to Lismore and served as an Alderman on Lismore Municipal Council
City of Lismore
The City of Lismore is a local government area in New South Wales, Australia. Its primary city, Lismore is a major regional centre in the Northern Rivers region of the state.-Demographics:...
.
Morton was educated at Lismore High School
Lismore High School
Lismore High School, is a school located in Lismore, New South Wales, Australia, on Dalley Street. It is a co-educational high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12. The school was established in 1920 at its first site on...
, which he left at the age of 14 to be employed in a law firm, but had a varied career in many different businesses. On 31 March 1937, He married Nance Maude on 31 March 1937 and had two daughters, Patricia and Margaret. Morton moved to Mosman, New South Wales
Mosman, New South Wales
Mosman is a suburb on the Lower North Shore of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mosman is located 8 kilometres north-east of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the Municipality of Mosman.-Localities:In February...
, where he was elected to the Mosman Municipal Council in 1944 as an Alderman
Alderman
An alderman is a member of a municipal assembly or council in many jurisdictions founded upon English law. The term may be titular, denoting a high-ranking member of a borough or county council, a council member chosen by the elected members themselves rather than by popular vote, or a council...
, rising to become Mayor in 1946.
Political career
As an Alderman, Morton joined the new Liberal Party of AustraliaLiberal Party of Australia
The Liberal Party of Australia is an Australian political party.Founded a year after the 1943 federal election to replace the United Australia Party, the centre-right Liberal Party typically competes with the centre-left Australian Labor Party for political office...
, becoming a member of the Balmoral
Balmoral, New South Wales
Balmoral is an urban locality in the suburb of Mosman in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. Balmoral is located in the local government area of the Municipality of Mosman and is part of the Lower North Shore....
local branch and a federal councillor. Morton soon joined the NSW Branch under party Leader Vernon Treatt
Vernon Treatt
Sir Vernon Haddon Treatt KBE, MM, QC was an Australian lawyer, soldier, Rhodes Scholar and politician. Born in Singleton, New South Wales and educated at Shore School, Treatt interrupted his studies at the University of Sydney to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War...
and stood for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
seat of Mosman
Electoral district of Mosman
Mosman was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1913 and named after and including the Sydney suburb of Mosman. In 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, it was absorbed into Middle Harbour. Mosman...
at the state election
New South Wales state election, 1947
The 1947 New South Wales state election was held on 3 May 1947. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1940 redistribution...
on the 3 May 1947. At the election he succeeded in defeating the conservative Independent member, The Reverend Donald Macdonald
Donald Macdonald (Australian politician)
Donald Peter Macdonald was an Australian politician and clergyman. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly between 1941 and 1947 and an Independent member of parliament.-Early life:...
, with 55.56% of the vote.
Treatt led the Coalition again at the 17 June 1950 election
New South Wales state election, 1950
The 1950 New South Wales State state election was held on 17 June 1950. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1949 redistribution...
, which resulted in a hung parliament
Hung parliament
In a two-party parliamentary system of government, a hung parliament occurs when neither major political party has an absolute majority of seats in the parliament . It is also less commonly known as a balanced parliament or a legislature under no overall control...
, with the Coalition gaining 12 seats and a swing of 6.7% for a total of 46 seats. With the Labor Party also holding 46 seats, the balance of power lay with the two re-elected Independent Labor members, James Geraghty
James Geraghty
James Leo Geraghty was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 until 1953. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party until 1950 and then sat as an Independent Labor member .-Early life:Geraghty was born in Parramatta, New South Wales...
and John Seiffert
John Seiffert
John Wesley Seiffert was an Australian politician and a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1941 until his death in 1965...
, who had been expelled from the party for disloyalty during the previous parliament. Under a legalistic interpretation of the ALP rules, Seiffert was readmitted to the party and, together with the support of Geraghty, Premier James McGirr
James McGirr
James McGirr was the Labor Premier of New South Wales from 6 February 1947 to 3 April 1952.A Catholic, McGirr was the seventh son of John Patrick McGirr, farmer and Irish immigrant, and Mary McGirr, whose maiden name was O'Sullivan. Born in Parkes, New South Wales, he grew up on a dairy farm near...
and Labor were able to stay in power. Morton was reelected with 77.28%. Morton also finished his term on Mosman Municipal Council in 1951.
At the 14 February 1953 election
New South Wales state election, 1953
The 1953 New South Wales state election was held on 14 February 1953. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1952 redistribution...
, Morton retained his seat with 75.59%, The Liberals, however, suffered a total loss of ten seats and a swing against them of 7.2%. Reversing the gains made at the previous election, confidence in Treatt's leadership decayed. The Liberal Party soon descended into factional in-fighting, culminating in the resignation of Deputy Leader Walter Howarth
Walter Howarth
Walter Arthur Harrex Howarth was an Australian politician who represented the Maitland for the United Australia Party and the Liberal Party of Australia .-Early life:...
on the 22 July 1954, who publicly announced it on 4 July citing that he felt that Treatt doubted his loyalty. He was replaced by Party Whip Robert Askin
Robert Askin
Sir Robert William Askin GCMG, was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party of Australia. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971...
. The resignation split the party and sparked a leadership challenge from Morton, who criticised Treatt's "lack of aggression" towards the Labor Government. At the party meeting on 6 July, Treatt narrowly defeated Morton with 12 votes to 10.
With party support eroded, Treatt did not remain long as leader afterwards. On Friday 6 August 1954, Treatt announced that he would resign as leader on 10 August. At the following party meeting, after a deadlocked vote between Askin and Morton, Askin persuaded Murray Robson to accept the Leadership of the Liberal Party as a compromise candidate. Like other senior members of the party, after having no conservative government since Alexander Mair in 1941, Robson had no experience in government, he had little interest in policy except for Cold War anti-communism, ignored majority views of his party and fellow parliamentary colleagues and further alienated party members by trying to forge a closer alliance with Michael Bruxner
Michael Bruxner
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Michael Frederick Bruxner KBE, DSO, JP was an Australian politician and soldier, serving for many years as Leader of the Country Party and its predecessors...
's Country Party. Over a year after Robson had assumed the leadership, at a party meeting on 20 September 1955, senior party member Ken McCaw
Ken McCaw
Sir Kenneth Malcolm McCaw QC , an Australian politician, was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly representing Lane Cove for the Liberal Party of Australia from 1947 until his retirement from political office in 1975...
moved that the leadership be declared vacant, citing that Robson's leadership lacked the qualities necessary for winning the next election. The motion was carried 15 votes to 5. Robson then moved a motion to prevent Morton, who was the only person nominated for leader, from taking the leadership. This was defeated 16 votes to 6 and Morton was elected unnopposed as leader, with Robert Askin
Robert Askin
Sir Robert William Askin GCMG, was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party of Australia. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971...
remaining as Deputy Leader.
Leadership
As Leader of the New South Wales Liberal PartyLeader of the New South Wales Liberal Party
The position of leader of the Liberal Party of Australia's New South Wales division is a formal role held by a Liberal member of the Parliament of New South Wales...
and Leader of the Opposition
Leader of the Opposition (New South Wales)
The role of the Leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition in New South Wales is a title held by the leader of the largest minority party in the state lower house, the New South Wales Legislative Assembly...
, Morton had to direct the campaign for the upcoming election in early 1956. At the official campaign launch on 15 February, Morton began by accusing the Cahill
Joseph Cahill
John Joseph Cahill was Premier of New South Wales in Australia from 1952 to 1959. He is best remembered as the Premier who approved construction on the Sydney Opera House, and for his work increasing the authority of local government in the state.-Early years:Joe Cahill, as he was popularly known,...
government of losing its way and wasting public funds, while promising to invest in public works, education and health. At the election
New South Wales state election, 1956
The 1956 New South Wales state election was held on 3 March 1956. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1952 redistribution...
on 3 March 1956, the Liberals gained five seats (Coogee
Electoral district of Coogee
Coogee is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by Bruce Notley-Smith of the Liberal Party.-Members for Coogee:-Election results:...
, Drummoyne
Electoral district of Drummoyne
Drummoyne is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is represented by John Sidoti of the Liberal Party of Australia.-History:...
, Georges River
Electoral district of Georges River
Georges River was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1930 to 2007. It was replaced by Oatley.-Members for Georges River:-Election results:...
, Parramatta
Electoral district of Parramatta
Parramatta is an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales. It is currently held by Geoff Lee of the Liberal Party of Australia....
and Sutherland
Electoral district of Sutherland
Sutherland was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales from 1950 to 1971 before it was abolished. The seat was reformed in 1988 until 1999...
) and the Country Party under Michael Bruxner
Michael Bruxner
Lieutenant Colonel Sir Michael Frederick Bruxner KBE, DSO, JP was an Australian politician and soldier, serving for many years as Leader of the Country Party and its predecessors...
regained the seat of Armidale
Electoral district of Armidale
Armidale was an electoral district of the Legislative Assembly in the Australian state of New South Wales, originally created in 1894, partly replacing New England, and named after and including Armidale. In 1920, with the introduction of proportional representation, it was absorbed into Northern...
, reducing the government's majority from twenty to six. Morton retained Mosman with 78.74%. Although the Coalition had failed to win government, an official report from the Liberal Party State Council blamed the defeat on the seat redistribution, the abolition of postal voting
Postal voting
Postal voting describes the method of voting in an election whereby ballot papers are distributed or returned by post to electors, in contrast to electors voting in person at a polling station or electronically via an electronic voting system....
and the strong right-wing Labor support for Premier Cahill.
Morton again led the opposition to the ballot at the 21 March 1959 election
New South Wales state election, 1959
The 1959 New South Wales state election was held on 21 March 1959. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1957 redistribution...
, which resulted in an overall gain of three seats but the loss of Sutherland and Parramatta to Labor. After counting was finalised the Cahill Government was left with an overall majority of four seats. Many attributed the loss to the Opposition's failure to back up its promises with actual figures, which led Premier Cahill to nickname Morton "Promising Pat". Morton retained Mosman again with a significant 90.16% of the vote.
During his time as leader, Morton had refused to give up his various business interests, including as a manager of a motor accessories distributor from 1956 until 1965 and a director of Coventry Tool and Gauge Company in 1958, among others. This lead many to accuse him of not focusing on his political responsibilities, including a Sydney Morning Herald article that said called Morton a "part-time" leader and stated that: "One of the points that told against Morton was his refusal to renounce or curtail his considerable business interests. In fact he increased them during the life of the last Parliament." Morton's leadership was further undermined when in April 1959, Liberal backbench MP for Manly, Douglas Darby
Douglas Darby
Evelyn Douglas Darby MP was an Australian politician, elected as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly...
, challenged Morton for the leadership. Although Morton won the vote 22 votes to 6, the result was interpreted as only occurring because there was no other alternative to Morton. For his last few months as Leader, confidence in his leadership did not recover.
On 14 July 1959, three Liberal MLAs (Geoffrey Cox
Geoffrey Cox (Australian politician)
Brigadier Geoffrey Souter Cox DSO, MC, ED was an Australian soldier and politician. A decorated officer during World War II, he later entered politics, serving as a Liberal Party of Australia member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1957 to 1964, representing the electorate of...
, Ivan Black
Ivan Black
Ivan Black was an Australian politician and part of the Liberal Party. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1945 until 1962....
and Douglas Cross
Douglas Cross
Douglas Donald Cross was an Australian politician. He was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1948 until 1953 and from 1956 until his death . He was a member of the Liberal Party of Australia....
) called on Morton to resign, stating that the party needed a full-time leader and that Morton no longer commanded the majority support of his colleagues. Morton refused and instead called an emergency meeting on 17 July to confirm his leadership. Soon after, the two main opponents to Morton, the Member for Earlwood, Eric Willis
Eric Willis
Sir Eric Archibald Willis KBE, CMG was an Australian politician, Cabinet Minister and the 34th Premier of New South Wales, serving from 23 January 1976 to 14 May 1976. Born in Murwillumbah in 1922, Willis was educated at Murwillumbah High School and the University of Sydney, where he obtained a...
, and Deputy Leader Robert Askin
Robert Askin
Sir Robert William Askin GCMG, was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party of Australia. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971...
, declared that they would only take the Leadership if they were given an absolute majority of 28 votes. At the party meeting, Morton was removed as Leader by two votes. Willis then surprised many by deciding not to put his name forward for nomination, leaving Askin as the only contender. Askin was subsequently elected unanimously as leader, with Willis eventually becoming Deputy Leader. Unlike his predecessor, Robson, Morton accepted his loss well, declaring that there would be "no recriminations" and pledged loyalty to Askin.
On his deposition, a Sydney Morning Herald editorial summed up his leadership thus: "True, the margin [of the last election] was slender. And, true, Morton campaigned vigorously. But his punches seemed to be rather wild. He would have done better by directing his blows to a few vital points instead of trying to hit at anything in sight. In addition to losing the last election, when Labour seemed at its most vulnerable after 18 years of office, Mr Morton further disappointed his colleagues - indeed, antagonised some of them - by expanding his private business interests when he was being urged to concentrate wholly on the job of Leader of the Opposition. However, the sad truth is that the genial Mr Morton has never measured up as a sagacious, inspiring leader."
At the 3 March 1962 election
New South Wales state election, 1962
The 1962 New South Wales state election was held on 3 March 1962. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1961 redistribution...
, Askin led the Coalition to another defeat to the Labor Party, now under Bob Heffron, who had become Premier following Cahill's death in October 1959. Morton retained his seat again with 80.76%. Heffron was Premier until his retirement on 30 April 1964. He was succeeded by Jack Renshaw
Jack Renshaw
John Brophy "Jack" Renshaw AC was an Australian politician. He was Labor Premier of New South Wales from 30 April 1964 to 13 May 1965.-Early life:...
, whose tenure was perceived to be the last days of a party which, after almost a quarter of a century in government, was tired. At the May 1965 election
New South Wales state election, 1965
The 1965 New South Wales state election was held on 1 May 1965. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1961 redistribution...
, Askin led the Coalition to its first ever state electoral victory, gaining eight seats and a swing of 5.6% to achieve a majority of two. Askin became the first Liberal Premier. Morton was re-elected with 82.30%.
Minister of the Crown
Askin then named Morton as the Minister for Local GovernmentMinister for Local Government (New South Wales)
The New South Wales Minister for Local Government has responsibilities which includes all Local Government areas and related legislation in NSW....
and Minister for Highways, being sworn in by the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Eric Woodward
Eric Woodward
Lieutenant General Sir Eric Winslow Woodward KCMG, KCVO, CB, CBE, DSO was an Australian military officer and Viceroy...
at Government House, Sydney
Government House, Sydney
Government House is located in Sydney, Australia alongside the Royal Botanic Gardens, overlooking Sydney Harbour, just south of the Sydney Opera House...
on 13 May 1965. As Minister, Morton was involved in the first dismissal of Warringah Shire Council
Warringah Council
Warringah is a local council area in the Northern Beaches region of Sydney, Australia. Warringah Council overlaps with a number of suburbs from the Manly Council area to the south and the Pittwater Council area to the north...
in April 1967 which was triggered by the gaoling of two councillors for bribery. The Councillors involved, Dennis Thomas and George Knight, were prosecuted under the Secret Commissions Prohibition Act 1919 (NSW) for receiving bribes from a development company to influence planning and development decisions, and both received gaol sentences. From 1967 to 1968 he appointed several public servants as Administrators to serve until a new council could be elected.
As a Minister of the Crown, Morton oversaw the rapid escalation of building development in inner-city Sydney and the central business district, which followed in the wake of his controversial 1967 abolition of Sydney City Council and a redistribution of municipal electoral boundaries that was aimed at reducing the power of the rival Australian Labor Party
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
. On its abolition, Morton commented that it was "essential for Sydney's progress" and replaced the City Council with a Commission, headed by his predecessor, Vernon Treatt
Vernon Treatt
Sir Vernon Haddon Treatt KBE, MM, QC was an Australian lawyer, soldier, Rhodes Scholar and politician. Born in Singleton, New South Wales and educated at Shore School, Treatt interrupted his studies at the University of Sydney to enlist at the outbreak of the First World War...
. At the 24 February 1968 election
New South Wales state election, 1968
The 1968 New South Wales state election was held on 24 February 1968. It was conducted in single member constituencies with compulsory preferential voting and was held on boundaries created at a 1966 redistribution...
, Askin increased his majority by six seats. Morton retained his seat with 73.55%.
Morton soon gained a reputation as a strong advocate for allowing free enterprise and business to take precedence over planning controls and government regulation. His time as Minister was marked by increasing strains on state infrastructure and his pro-development stance was largely attributed as an attempt to alleviate these problems. Despite this, Morton and his State Planning Authority were continuously criticised for not being totally accountable to the public, particularly as the pro-business Sydney Commissioners worked side-by-side with the Planning authority to increase developments in the Sydney CBD to their highest levels ever, embodied by the construction of the MLC Centre
MLC Centre
The MLC Centre is a skyscraper in Sydney, Australia. This office building is 228 metres high and has 60 storeys. Occupants include the Sydney Consulate of the United States of America. The podium of the building includes a shopping centre with several exclusive fashion labels and a 1,186 seat...
, the demolition of the Theatre Royal, Sydney
Theatre Royal, Sydney
The Theatre Royal in Sydney is Australia's oldest theatrical institution. Sydney's original Theatre Royal was built in 1827 behind the Royal Hotel, but burned to the ground in 1840. The name was dormant for 35 years until 1875 when a new Theatre Royal was built in the location where the current...
and the Australia Hotel
Australia Hotel
The Australia Hotel in Castlereagh Street, Sydney, was until its closure on 30 June 1971, the premier hotel in Sydney, describing itself as "The Hotel of the Commonwealth"....
. Among the most controversial schemes planned by his government were also a massive freeway system that was planned to be driven through the hearts of historic inner-city suburbs including Glebe
Glebe, New South Wales
Glebe is an inner-city suburb of Sydney. Glebe is located 3 km south-west of the Sydney central business district and is part of the local government area of the City of Sydney, in the Inner West region....
and Newtown
Newtown, New South Wales
Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west is located approximately four kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district, straddling the local government areas of the City of Sydney and Marrickville Council in the state of New South Wales, Australia....
and an equally ambitious scheme of 'slum clearance' that would have brought about the wholescale destruction of the historic areas of Woolloomooloo and The Rocks
The Rocks, New South Wales
The Rocks is an urban locality, tourist precinct and historic area of Sydney's city centre, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. It is located on the southern shore of Sydney Harbour, immediately north-west of the Sydney central business district...
. This eventually culminated in the 1970s Green ban
Green ban
A green ban is a form of strike action, usually taken by a trade union or other organised labour group, which is conducted for environmentalist or conservationist purposes.-Background:...
movement led by Unions Leader Jack Mundey
Jack Mundey
Jack Mundey is a distinguished Australian union and environmental activist. He came to prominence during the 1970s for leading the New South Wales Builders' Labourers Federation in the famous Green Bans, whereby the BLF led a successful campaign to protect the built and natural environment of...
, to protect the architectural heritage of Sydney.
At the 13 February 1971 election
New South Wales state election, 1971
Elections for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly were held in the state of New South Wales, Australia, on Saturday 13 February 1971. The Liberal-Country Party coalition government led by Sir Robert Askin won a third term in office. The Labor Party opposition was led by Pat Hills.The...
, Askin's majority was reduced by four seats to the Labor Party under Pat Hills. Morton retained his seat, despite a significant reduction in his majority to 62.68%. Morton stayed in office for another year when, on 16 June 1972 he retired from politics. At the time of his departure it had been rumoured that he had been threatening to dismiss Blacktown City Council if they did not stop blocking a $200 million development in Mount Druitt
Mount Druitt, New South Wales
Mount Druitt is a suburb of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Mount Druitt is located 43 kilometres west of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of the City of Blacktown, and is part of the Greater Western Sydney region.There are numerous...
.
Retirement
On 18 July 1972, Queen Elizabeth II granted him retention of the title "The HonourableThe Honourable
The prefix The Honourable or The Honorable is a style used before the names of certain classes of persons. It is considered an honorific styling.-International diplomacy:...
" for life, for having served as a Minister of the Crown and on the Executive Council of New South Wales
Executive Council of New South Wales
The Executive Council of New South Wales is the cabinet of that Australian state, consisting of the Ministers, presided over by the Governor .-Role and history:...
. Morton's mid-term retirement caused a by-election in his seat of Mosman. At the 29 July 1972 by-election
Mosman state by-election, 1972
A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly seat of Mosman on Saturday, 29 July 1972.It was triggered by the retirement of the former Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party and Minister of the Crown, The Hon. Pat Morton....
he was succeeded by Liberal candidate David Arblaster
David Arblaster
David Amos Arblaster, was a New South Wales politician, Minister for Culture, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Tourism in the cabinet of Sir Eric Willis until the Liberal party lost the 1976 election...
with 51% of the primary vote. On his retirement, Morton was appointed as a Trustee of the Zoological Parks Board of New South Wales, becoming Chairman in 1976. He died on 18 January 1999 at his Mosman home, survived by his eldest daughter, Patricia. His youngest daughter Margaret having died of melanoma in 1987. His funeral was held at St Luke's Anglican Church, Mosman, on 22 January 1999.