Summary heading

 Hon John Norman Button

Career within Commonwealth

John Norman Button was born in Ballarat, Victoria, on 30 June 1933 to Clifford Norman and Dorothy Marion Button. He studied at Ballarat College, Geelong College and the University of Melbourne, graduating in Law on 11 April 1956, and in Arts on 21 February 1962. He gained a Certificate of Knowledge of the Italian Language after studying at the University for Foreigners in Perugia, Italy, for three months in 1957 and for one month in 1958.

In 1958 and 1959 Button worked as a Research Officer for the British Trades Union Congress. On returning to Melbourne in 1960 he joined the firm of Maurice Blackburn & Co. He worked as a barrister and solicitor, specialising in industrial law, which included acting for the ACTU. While continuing his legal career, Button edited and wrote a forward and conclusion for a collection of essays on design planning and the environment, entitled 'Look Here', which was published in 1969. In 1971 he became a senior partner of Maurice Blackburn & Co, resigning to commence his first term as a Labor Party Senator for Victoria on 1 July 1974. In that year he also became president of the Society for Labor Lawyers, the position he held until 1977. 

Button was a member of numerous Senate committees from 1975 (see related agencies entry). Between 1976 and 1983 he served as Shadow Minister for Media and Film and Opposition Spokesman on Education and Science. He was also Senate representative for the Shadow Attorney-General and for the Shadow portfolios of the Arts, Industrial Relations and Business and Consumer Affairs.

Button was elected as Deputy Opposition Leader in the Senate on 22 December 1977 and became Leader of the Opposition in the Senate on 7 November 1980, a position he held until Labor came to power in the 1983 general election.

Button became Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister for Industry and Commerce on 11 March 1983, as well as Minister assisting the Minister for Communications. In December 1984 Technology was added to his portfolio. He was also Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-committee on Industry Restructuring.

Button held various positions in the Labor Party, and was a member of the ALP National Executive since December 1977. Button travelled extensively as a guest of overseas governments and made many official overseas visits in his capacity as Minister.

Button's Senate term was due to expire in June 1993, however he stepped down from the ministry on 31 March 1993.

John Button died on 8 Apr 2008.

Sources

Senator the Hon J N Button; letter in reply to Australian

Archives' request for information

Who's Who in Australia, 1980, p 161; 1988, p 163

Australian Government Directory, 1975, pp 13-14

Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1988,

pp 58-59

Biography sheet provided by Senator Button's office

Government in Focus, Vol 2, No 1, December 1984, p 5

The Age

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national, accessed 16 April 2008

Summary heading

 Hon John Norman Button

Unregistered links

Agency associated with person unregistered

24 Sep 1981-14 Oct 1982: Senate Select Committee on Government

                         Clothing and Ordnance Factories - Member

11 May 1983-31 May 1993: Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations

                         and Staffing - Member

       1983            : Industry Minister's Conference - Chairman

11 Mar 1983-31 May 1993: Cabinet Sub-committee on Industry

                         Restructuring - Chairman

09 Oct 1987-31 May 1993: Senate Procedures Committee - Member