Jim Cope


James Francis Cope was an Australian politician. He was a member of the Australian Labor Party and served in the House of Representatives from 1955 to 1975. He was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1973 to 1975, resigning abruptly in dramatic circumstances when he came into conflict with Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

Early life

Born in Sydney in 1907, Jim Cope attended public schools and became a glassworker. He rose to Federal Treasurer of the Australian Glassworkers' Union, and was also a member of Redfern Council.

Politics

In 1955 he was elected to the Australian House of Representatives in a by-election for the seat of Cook, representing the Australian Labor Party. Cook was abolished in the federal election of that year and Cope contested Watson instead, winning the seat. He held Watson until its abolition in 1969, when he transferred to the new seat of Sydney, which he held until 1975.

Speakership

On 27 February 1973, Cope was appointed the first Labor Speaker of the House since 1950. On 27 February 1975, the second anniversary of his election as speaker, he resigned after the Whitlam government refused to support him when he named Clyde Cameron, a government minister. Cope retired from parliament at the double dissolution election of 11 November 1975.

Later life

In the New Year's Honours of 1978, he was appointed a Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, for his services to the parliament.
Cope died in 1999.