Hon Thomas Walker, MLA
- Position
- Speaker Legislative Council
- Postnominals
- Member Legislative Assembly
- Year of death
- 1932
- Plaque number
- FA39
- Dedicated by
- Kings Park Board on 29 September 1929
- More information
Biography abstract:
Thomas Walker (5/2/1858 - 10/5/1932) was born in Preston, England and trained as a teacher working for two years in Preston.
He emigrated to Canada and then went back to the United Kingdom in 1876 before travelling to Sydney in 1877.
Mr Walker undertook various lecture tours in UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia on diverse subjects including occult sciences, the doctrine of evolution, temperance, elocution and politics.
He was elected MLA in New South Wales 1887-94 and MLA for Kanowna, Westerm Australia 1905-32. His legal studies and pastoral pursuits inflicted heavy strain on him and he went to New South Wales to recuperate in 1911.
He was admitted to the bar and sworn in as Attorney General in the WA Scaddon Government on the same day, 22 November 1911.
He was Minister for Justice and Education 1911-16 and Speaker of WA House of Parliament 1924-30.
He was instrumental in establishing the Perth tramway system and was a 'noted humanitarian' (however, he apparently refused Government money for Aboriginal education).
The Hon. Thomas Walker was Speaker for the Legislative Council in 1929 during the Western Australia Centenary celebrations.