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Ralph Willis (born 1938), Australian politician, Treasurer for the final years of the Keating Government.
Willis was born in Melbourne, Australia and educated at Footscray Central School, University High School and Melbourne University gaining a Bachelor of Commerce. He subsequently worked as a research officer and industrial advocate for the Australian Council of Trade Unions.
He was elected as an Australian Labor Party member of the Australian House of Representatives in 1972, at the same time as the Whitlam government came to power. He represented the people of the Division of Gellibrand until 1998. He held positions on the front bench for 20 years and was responsible for various ministerial portfolios during the Hawke and Keating Governments.
- Employment and Industrial Relations
- assisting PM for Public Service Matters
- assisting PM for Public Service Industrial Matters
- Transport and Communications
- Industrial Relations
- Finance
- Treasurer
- Vice-President of the Executive Council (27 May 1992 24 Mar 1993)
Whilst in opposition during the Fraser Government, Ralph Willis was spokesman on Industrial Relations, Economic Affairs, Treasury and Economic Development.
Antony Green notes that Willis' "last major act as Treasurer was to release, just days before the 1996 election, letters that suggested a Howard government would savagely cut grants to the states. Unfortunately, the letters were forgeries, completely burying the last week of Labor's campaign."
[1] (http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2004/guide/gell.htm)
Nicola Roxon, in her maiden speech upon entering parliament on November 11, 1998 remarked:
"The electorate has been very well represented by its former member, the Hon. Ralph Willis. For just under 26 years he represented the people of Gellibrand and had a remarkable career, being on the front bench for 20 years, in government for 16 years and a minister for 13 years, with a term of that as Treasurer. Ralph was first elected to parliament in 1972 with the Whitlam government. I was only five when he was first elected. I was finishing high school when Ralph was building the revolutionary prices and incomes accord in the mid-1980s. He was addressing ILO conferences as the Minister for Finance when I was completing my honours law degree at Melbourne University."
source: [2] (http://www.aph.gov.au/house/members/firstspeech.asp?id=83K|2)
Post Parliamentary Appointments
- Chair of Western Health Board July 1 2004
- Chairman of the Construction and Building Industry Superannuation Fund
- Director of the Australian Super Developments.
- Chair and Treasurer of the Mietta Foundation
- Member of the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors.
- Member of the United Nations Secretary-Generals High Level Panel on Youth Employment
- Chairperson of the Melbourne City Opera
- Board Member of the Westgate Community Initiatives Group,
- Board Member of the Stan Willis Trust.
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