Political Career
Spooner helped establish the Liberal Party of Australia, after the collapse of the United Australia Party in 1944 and became the first president of its New South Wales branch. He was elected to the Australian Senate in the December 1949 election and shortly after appointed Minister for Social Services in Robert Menzies' first post-war ministry, despite not taking office as a senator until 22 February 1950. In May 1951, he became Minister for National Development and held that position until his resignation from the ministry in June 1964. His portfolio was responsible for policy towards the mining industry, especially coal, oil, uranium and iron ore. He also oversaw the Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority, the Australian Atomic Energy Commission, the River Murray Commission, the Joint Coal Board and some development projects in northern Australia. From 1958 until 1964, he was Vice-President of the Executive Council. He resigned from the Senate in July 1965.
Spooner was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George in 1963 and a privy counsellor in 1966. He died of cancer in July 1966 at Manly Hospital, survived by his wife, a son and two daughters.
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