Tom Foley (Australian politician)

Foley entered state politics in 1919. During the next 41 years he held the seats of Leichhardt from 1919 till 1932, Normanby from 1932 till 1950, and Belyando from 1950 till 1960.^[1] He stood for the seat of Barcoo at the 1960 election but was defeated.^[2]

During his time in parliament he held the roles of Secretary for Mines, Health and Home Affairs, Public Lands and Irrigation, and Labour and Industry. Foley also held the role as Government Whip from 1932 till 1936.^[1]

His time in politics was highlighted by several controversies. In 1946, Foley was charged after illicit tobacco was found in his garage. The magistrate dismissed the charge however two other men, one of them being Foley's brother-in-law, were found guilty of possession of the contraband. After this affair Foley was given the nickname "Fine Cut" Foley.^[1] In that same year, he was involved in a fist fight with Frank Barnes in the member's dining room. Foley apologised to parliament for his actions but Barnes refused to do so and was suspended from the house.^[1]

As Secretary for Public Lands, he introduced legislation for closer-land and war-service settlement. In 1956, both allegations of maladministration and claims of corruption regarding graziers being forced to pay bribes to secure lease renewals were made in both state and federal parliament, and the state government instituted the Royal Commission on Land Leases to investigate the issues. After initial hearings resulted in an interim report critical of Foley, the commission was suspended, Foley stepped aside as Minister for Lands, and criminal charges were instigated against Foley, which resulted in an acquittal and Foley's reinstatement. However, the Royal Commission was then reopened and handed down a verdict that Foley was guilty of corrupt conduct for soliciting bribes, resulting in his final resignation as minister.^[3] After his resignation from the ministry his wife was found unconscious on the bedroom floor of their home and died the next day. It was suggested that she had heard of his resignation on the radio and the shock of this news caused her to suffer a stroke. Foley was subsequently expelled from the Labor Party in October 1956.^[2]

After the 1957 Labor split, Foley was accepted into the newly formed Queensland Labor Party. He managed to hold his seat at that year's state elections but the electorate was abolished before the 1960 election and, standing for Barcoo, was defeated.^[2]

Foley married Christina Madeline Pianta at St Joseph's Catholic Church, Capella in 1920 and they had three children. After politics he retired to Coochiemudlo Island where he became a pawpaw farmer.^[2]

He died at South Brisbane in 1973 and was buried in Nudgee Cemetery.^[2]