Jim Keeffe


James Bernard Keeffe was an Australian politician. Born in Atherton, Queensland, he was educated at state schools before becoming a farm labourer and forestry worker. After serving in the military 1942–1945, he became an insurance and real-estate salesman and was state secretary of the Coopers' Union. He served as secretary of the Queensland Labor Party 1960–1965 and Federal President 1962–1970. In 1964, he was elected to the Australian Senate as a Labor Senator for Queensland, taking his seat in 1965. He remained a Senator until his retirement in 1983.
In May 1988, Keeffe visited Canberra for the opening of the New Parliament House. On 15 May, he was found dead by his son when his returning train pulled into the station in Townsville.