Frank Stewart - Political Career

Political Career

Stewart joined the Australian Labor Party in 1942 and was elected as the federal member for Lang in 1953 and belonged to the right-wing Catholic faction of the party. He was widely considered a grouper, although unlike many other "groupers" he never left the Labor Party.

When the Whitlam government was elected in 1972, he became Minister for Tourism and Recreation. Stewart was a strong opponent of abortion and the no-fault divorce reform passed in 1975. As Vice-President of the Executive Council, in 1975, he presided over the meeting that revoked Rex Connor's authority to raise overseas funds. The Sydney Morning Herald later published allegations that he was so concerned about Connor dealings with Tirath Khemlani that he leaked information to the opposition on the Loans Affair.

After the fall of the Whitlam government, which was precipitated by the Loans Affair, Stewart moved to the backbench. When Lang was abolished prior to the 1977 election, he transferred to Grayndler.

Kevin Stewart (1929–2006), Health Minister in the New South Wales government led by Neville Wran, was Frank's younger brother. Frank Stewart died in Long Jetty, New South Wales, of myocardial infarction while playing squash and was survived by his wife, five daughters and one son.