Ralph Hunt was born at Narrabri, NSW on 31 March 1928 and educated at Scots College, Sydney. On leaving school he helped manage the family property near Moree and soon after joined the Country Party. He held several party positions, including as Chairman, Gwydir Federal Electorate Council (1953-69), Chairman, Australian Country Party, NSW Division (1964-69) and Chairman, Party Wool Committee (1967-69). He was also active in local government as a Councillor on the Boomi Shire Council (1956-68, Vice-President 1962-68), a Councillor on the North West County Council (1962) and President of the Moree and District Local Government Association (1962-65).
Elected to the House of Representatives at a by-election in June 1969, as Country (later National) Party member for Gwydir (NSW), Hunt held the seat for nearly 20 years until his resignation in February 1989.
In February 1971, a month before Gorton stepped down as Prime Minister, Hunt was appointed Minister for the Interior. McMahon retained him in the portfolio until the Liberal Coalition Government's defeat in December the following year. During the Whitlam Labor Government, Hunt was a member of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs (1973-75, and the select committee which preceded it 1972-73) and Opposition Shadow Ministry spokesman on environment and conservation (1974-75).
When the Fraser Liberal Coalition Government was returned to office in December 1975 Hunt became Minister for Health (1975-79), and was subsequently Minister for Transport (1979-82) and later Minister for Transport and Construction (1982-83). During the Hawke Labor Government, he was a member of the Shadow Ministry and spokesman on trade (1984) and primary industry (1984-87). He also served on parliamentary committees relating to Electoral Reform and Expenditure (1983-84), Industry, Science and Resources and New Parliament House (1987-89); was a member of the Australian Political Exchange Committee (1984-89); Deputy Leader of the National Party (1984-87) and Federal Treasurer of the National Party (1987-2002).
Since leaving federal politics, Hunt has held various appointments including as a Director, East West Airlines (1989-92); Member, Old Parliament House Advisory Committee (1993-95); Chairman, Western Lands Advisory Board (1989-2000) and Director, West 2000 Board (1997-2001).
Ralph Hunt was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) in 1990.
Sources:
Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia 1984, pp 106-7; 1988, pp 126-7; 1991, p 235
Who's Who in Australia 1988, p 458; 2004, p 1045
Department of Transport and Construction news release, 19 May 1982
Summary heading
Hon Ralph Hunt (CP 311)
Unregistered links
1972-1973: House of Representatives Select Committee on
Aboriginal Affairs – Member
1993-1995: Old Parliament House Advisory Committee - Member