Robert Cosgrove

Who was Robert Cosgrove?

Sir Robert Cosgrove KCMG was an Australian politician, trade unionist, and twice Premier of Tasmania from 18 December 1939 to 18 December 1947 and 25 February 1948 to 26 August 1958.

His eighteen years as premier remains the longest in Tasmania's history; he dominated the state's Australian Labor Party branch for a generation.

He was minister administering the Hydro-Electric Commission Act for sixteen years between 1942 and 1958

He was married to Dame Gertrude Cosgrove from 1911 until her death in 1962; they had four children, including a son who was killed in World War II; another son, Henry Cosgrove, became a Judge of the Supreme Court of Tasmania. She was appointed DBE in 1947.

In December 1947, the Premier was indicted on charges of bribery and corruption. Cosgrove stood down as Premier during his trial, and Edward Brooker was sworn in as his replacement on 19 December 1947. The trial was concluded by February the next year, and the charges against Cosgrove were dropped. Brooker stood down and Cosgrove was reinstated, appointing Brooker as Treasurer and Minister for Transport.

Cosgrove was chairman of the Tasmanian Tourist Council and of the Southern Tasmanian Trotting Association. He was also a member of the council of the University of Tasmania and of the local branch of the St Vincent de Paul Society, and president of the Royal Hobart Golf Club.