Hon Sir Richard Butler

Sir Richard Butler

03 December 1850

Liberal Federation

Barossa

House of Assembly

13 August 1890

Farmer and grazier

Sir Richard Butler came to Adelaide as a child, and was a prominent community member before his election to represent Yatala in the Lower House in 1890, a position he held for twelve years. He moved to Adelaide in 1899 and stood for the Barossa, which he represented until 1924.

Butler's early years in Parliament were characterised by a certain flexibility in political position and alignment, supporting both the Playford and Downer ministries before transferring his allegiances to Kingston in 1893. He supported women's suffrage and free education but opposed free trade. He was appointed Treasurer in Jenkin's 1901 ministry, which became more conservative over the next three years as the financial and political problems caused by Federation, and exacerbated by the drought and ensuing depression, mounted. Butler's financial realism made him unpopular but he was an efficient if ruthless Treasurer, balancing budgets by cutting spending.

Aligning with other country members, Butler became Premier in 1905 owing in part to the factionalisation of non-Labor politics, but resigned, defeated, after three months when Labour gained seats in the May elections. Leader of the Opposition for five years, Butler served in Peake's 1912 ministry, was knighted in 1913, and was Peake's Treasurer in the 1917 ministry. He was investigated by three Royal Commissions in the four years from 1917 to 1921 for alleged irregularities as Minister of Agriculture, and was fired by the Executive Council after refusing to resign at Peake's request. He was assumed cleared of all charges after the final Commission failed to make reference to such, and was elected Speaker in 1921. Butler was defeated at the polls in 1924, and found retirement very difficult; he died during a short trip to England in 1925.

A portrait of Butler, by George A. J. Webb, unveiled in 1928, hangs in Parliament House.

28 April 1925