NSW Labor

His father was a boilermaker, a trade he followed himself having had little formal schooling. He became Secretary of his trade society at the age of 19 and held that position for 17 years. His public image and his amiable personality made him a very good candidate for NSW's first Labor Premier. The McGowen Government produced reforming legislation, such as the Industrial Arbitration Act and the Bursary Endowment Act, as well as industrial development programs. He was leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party from 1894-1913, the longest serving leader in the Party's history. He supported Conscription, and was expelled from the Party. He stood as an independent for Redfern (the seat he had held since 1891) and was defeated by the endorsed Labor candidate, Bill McKell, another boilermaker who, himself would become Premier. A devout Anglican, he was the Sunday School Superintendent of St Paul 's Redfern. He died in 1922.