Alister McMullin

Who was Alister McMullin?

Sir Alister Maxwell McMullin, KCMG was an Australian politician. Born in Scone, New South Wales, he was educated at state schools before becoming a farmer and grazier. He served in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1940-1945, and when he returned served on Upper Hunter Shire Council. In 1951, he was elected to the Australian Senate as a Liberal Senator for New South Wales. In 1953, he succeeded Ted Mattner as President of the Senate; he served as President for 18 years, until his retirement from the Senate in 1971. He is thus the longest serving President of the Senate in Australian history.

He was closely associated with the planning and development of the National Library of Australia as Chairman of the Australian Advisory Council on Bibliographical Services, Chairman of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Library Committee and Deputy Chairman of the Council of the National Library of Australia.

He was also involved in the preparation of plans for the new Parliament House in Canberra as Chairman of a special Parliamentary Joint Select Committee. He represented the Australian Government at numerous international events, including the funeral of John F. Kennedy.