Hon Crawford Vaughan

Crawford Vaughan

14 July 1874

National Party

Sturt

House of Assembly

27 May 1905

Crawford Vaughan was born in Adelaide and unsuccessfully attempted to enter politics three times before joining the United Labor Party in 1904 and winning the seat of Torrens in 1905. He rose within the Labor ranks, becoming president of the Party and then Parliamentary Whip before joining John Verran's ministry in 1910 as Treasurer.

Known for his administrative skills, he was elected Party leader unopposed after Verran's resignation in 1913. Popular among the middle classes due to his white collar background, Vaughan led the opposition against Peake before becoming Premier in 1915 after Labor's victory over the Liberals. Under his government South Australia's education system was substantially enhanced, while rights for women and workers were likewise improved. Increasing budget deficit and Vaughan's moderation, as well as his approval of conscription, led to his censure as disloyal to the Party.

Vaughan and his allies broke away to form the National Labour Party (later the National Party), ending Labor's middle-class influence for many years and destroying Labor's majority. Vaughan maintained his hold on the Premiership, hoping to develop a Liberal-National coalition, but was defeated in 1917, accepting a minority role in a Liberal led coalition cabinet. During the 1918 elections he lectured in the United States at the invitation of a Presidential commission, and lost his seat at Sturt as a result. He remained in the United States for two years before returning to Sydney to live, where he unsuccessfully attempted to enter NSW politics twice, before his death in 1947. He married Millicent Preston-Stanley, the first woman to be elected to the Parliament of New South Wales.

15 December 1947