Ted Maher (politician)

Edmund Bede "Ted" Maher CBE (8 June 1891 – 31 December 1982) was an Australian politician, Leader of the Opposition in the Parliament of Queensland 1936 to 1941 and Federal senator 1950 to 1965.[1]

Ted Maher CBE
Senator for Queensland
In office 22 February 1950 – 30 June 1965
Leader of the Opposition of Queensland
In office 15 July 1936 – 21 May 1941
Preceded by	Arthur Edward Moore
Succeeded by	Frank Nicklin
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for Rosewood
In office 11 May 1929 – 11 June 1932
Preceded by	William Cooper
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly for West Moreton
In office 11 June 1932 – 27 October 1949
Preceded by	New seat
Succeeded by	Seat abolished
Personal details
Born	Edmund Bede Maher (1891-06-08)8 June 1891 Forbes, New South Wales, Australia
Died	31 December 1982(1982-12-31) (aged 91) Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia
Political party	Country Party
Other political affiliations	Country and Progressive National Party
Occupation	Grazier, businessman

Born in Forbes, New South Wales, he was educated at Catholic schools before becoming a post office worker and stock agent. In 1921, he moved to Queensland, becoming a grazier, as well as a businessman and company director. In 1929 he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Queensland as the Country Party member for Rosewood, transferring to West Moreton in 1932. He served as Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Country Party from 1936 to 1941.[2]

Maher was the last leader of his party who did not become Premier until Mike Horan (served 2001-2003, with the party now being known as the National Party).

In 1949 he left the Assembly and was elected to the Australian Senate as a Country Party Senator for Queensland. He remained in the Senate until his retirement in 1964, taking effect in 1965. Maher died in 1982.[3]