Arch Bevis

Who is Arch Bevis?

Archibald Ronald "Arch" Bevis is an Australian politician who was a Labor member of the Australian House of Representatives from 1990 to 2010, representing the Division of Brisbane, Queensland. He was born in Brisbane, and educated at Ithaca Creek State Primary School and The Gap State High School and graduated as a teacher from the then Brisbane CAE. Whilst studying to become a teacher Bevis was president of the Australian Student Teachers Federation.

Bevis worked as a teacher between 1975 and 1977. He became the Queensland President of Young Labor in 1975, aged 20. He went on to become National President of Young Labor in 1978, aged 23.

Between 1978 and 1980, Bevis worked as an organiser for the Queensland Teachers Union. In 1980, aged 25, he was promoted to Deputy General Secretary, a position he held until 1990.

From 1988-90, he was also a member of the Labor Party's national executive. He was elected Vice-President of the Australian Labor Party from 2000-02.

After being elected to the House of Representatives at the 1990 election, Bevis served on a number of committees. He chaired the Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology from 1992–93 and the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters from 1992-94. From 1994 to 1996, he was also the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence.