About Me
Full Name
John Baker
Date of Birth
28 December 1813
Party
Pre-Party System
Position
Former Member
Electorate
The Province
House
Legislative Council
Date Elected
08 July 1851
Prior Employment
Pastoralist
Part-proprietor whaling station at Encounter Bay 1843-46
Part-proprietor whaling station at Encounter Bay 1843-46
Public Activities
Like many of the prominent politicians during the early days of South Australian settlement, John Baker was a well educated pastoralist who held vast tracts of grazing country in new found areas throughout South Australia. Baker migrated from England to Van Dieman's Land (now Tasmania) and then settled in South Australia in 1839. His involvement with pastoral interests, livestock development and the early financial industry of the young colony were reflected in his actions as a member for Mount Barker in the period 1851-56.
During development of the colony's new constitution, Baker supported adult male franchise in the elections for the House of Assembly; however, he argued strongly for restricted enfranchisement for electors of the Upper House, believing that full democracy would jeopardise the interests of property owners like himself. Baker's Premiership in 1857 lasted only 12 days, but in that time he was pivotal in creating a compromise system between the Upper and Lower Houses regarding the power to initiate and amend revenue-raising, or "money" bills. A self-interested vote of censure of the government was proposed by Sir Robert Torrens five days after Baker was sworn in as Premier, and the entire ministry stepped down after the vote was passed 24-7.
Baker later resigned from politics and was notably involved in determining the site of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, and also served as trustee on its board. He frequently referred to South Australia as "the best spot on the face of the globe", a comment which reflected his pride in the colony he had helped develop. Baker died in Adelaide in 1872.
One of his sons was Sir Richard Chaffey Baker, also a Member of the Legislative Council, and later first President of the Australian Senate.
During development of the colony's new constitution, Baker supported adult male franchise in the elections for the House of Assembly; however, he argued strongly for restricted enfranchisement for electors of the Upper House, believing that full democracy would jeopardise the interests of property owners like himself. Baker's Premiership in 1857 lasted only 12 days, but in that time he was pivotal in creating a compromise system between the Upper and Lower Houses regarding the power to initiate and amend revenue-raising, or "money" bills. A self-interested vote of censure of the government was proposed by Sir Robert Torrens five days after Baker was sworn in as Premier, and the entire ministry stepped down after the vote was passed 24-7.
Baker later resigned from politics and was notably involved in determining the site of the Adelaide Botanical Gardens, and also served as trustee on its board. He frequently referred to South Australia as "the best spot on the face of the globe", a comment which reflected his pride in the colony he had helped develop. Baker died in Adelaide in 1872.
One of his sons was Sir Richard Chaffey Baker, also a Member of the Legislative Council, and later first President of the Australian Senate.
Other Information
Image reproduced with permission -
State Library of South Australia, SLSA: B22855
State Library of South Australia, SLSA: B22855
Deceased
18 May 1872
Electoral History
Date
District
House
Party
Reason (if retired)
07 Aug 1863 - 18 May 1872
The Province
Legislative Council
Pre-Party System
Deceased
09 Mar 1857 - 27 Mar 1861
The Province
Legislative Council
Pre-Party System
Not Re-elected
08 Jul 1851 - 02 Feb 1857
Mount Barker
Legislative Council
Pre-Party System
Council Expired by Law
Offices Held
18 May 1872 - Current
Former Member
Ministerial Appointments
21 Aug 1857 - 01 Sep 1857
Chief Secretary
21 Aug 1857 - 01 Sep 1857
Premier