Athol Richardson

Richardson entered politics by contesting and winning the Electoral district of Ashfield for the United Australia Party at the 1935 election. He was subsequently re-elected to the seat of Ashfield at the 1938, 1941 and 1944 elections.^[2] He resigned to unsuccessfully contest the federal seat of Parkes in 1946.^[3] He regained Ashfield at the subsequent by-election and retained it at the 1947 and 1950 elections.^[2]

During his time in parliament he held various ministerial portfolio's including Minister for Social Services (13 October 1938 – 5 August 1939), Minister for Health (22 February 1939 – 30 June 1939), Minister for Labour and Industry (26 June 1939 – 5 August 1939) and Treasurer (16 August 1939 – 16 May 1941). He was also Deputy Leader of the Opposition for 1941 until 1945.^[1]

Richardson retired from politics upon his appointment as a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1952. During his judicial tenure, Richardson remained a member of the Liberal Party; Tom Hughes describes him as a man of 'orderly habits', but criticises him as 'a well-meaning man who gained marks only for sincerity and effort'.^[4] Richardson retired from the bench in 1967.

Richardson died on 22 May 1982, at Darling Point, New South Wales, Australia.^[1]

• King's Counsel in 1951.^[5]
• Officer Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1976.^[6]
• Hon LLD New York 1968.^[1]

 

New South Wales Legislative Assembly
Preceded by Milton Jarvie	Member for Ashfield 1938 – 1952	Succeeded by Jack Richardson
Political offices
Preceded by Herbert Hawkins	Minister for Social Services 1938 – 1939	Succeeded by George Gollan
Preceded by Herbert FitzSimons	Minister for Labour and Industry 1939	Succeeded by George Gollan
Preceded by Alexander Mair	Treasurer of New South Wales 1939 – 1941	Succeeded by William McKell
Party political offices
Preceded by Bertram Stevens	Deputy Leader of the United Australia Party 1941 – 1943	Party disbanded
New political party	Deputy Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party 1945 – 1946	Succeeded by Vernon Treatt