John Stanislaus Hanlon

When the Labour Party starting forming governments in Queensland, it found much of its legislation being blocked by a hostile Council, where members had been appointed for life by successive conservative governments. After a failed referendum in May 1917,^[2] Premier Ryan tried a new tactic, and later that year advised the Governor, Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams, to appoint thirteen new members whose allegiance lay with Labour to the council.^[3] The council, however, continued to reject the government's money bills and in 1918 Ryan advised Goold-Adams to appoint additional Labour members, but this time he refused the request.^[3]

In 1920, the new Premier Ted Theodore appointed a further fourteen new members to the Council^[4] with Hanlon amongst the appointees.^[1] He served for two years until the council was abolished in March 1922.^[1]

Hanlon continued his work with The Worker for another 20 years and becoming its editor.^[5] In 1921, while serving in the council, Hanlon was made a member of the University of Queensland senate, holding the role until 1943.^[1] Hanlon moved to Sydney in 1943 to continue his work as an editor, this time with The Australian Worker newspaper.^[5] His final appointment came in 1945 when he was made a member of the Australian Broadcasting Commission, serving until his death four years later.^[1]

Hanlon died of pneumonia in Sydney in September 1949.^[1]