Allan Clyde Holding, (preferred name Clyde Holding) was born in Melbourne, Victoria on 27 April 1931.  He was educated at Trinity Grammar School and Melbourne University where he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL B).  Holding then worked as a solicitor and was a partner in a legal firm.
 
In 1962 Holding was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the Australian Labor Party member for Richmond. From 1967 to 1977 Holding was the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly.  He held that seat until 1977 when he resigned to enter federal politics.  During his period in state politics Holding served as a member of the following Standing Committees:  Parliamentary Standing Orders (1967-1977);  Ansett Transport Industries (1972);  Qualification (Members'
Qualifications) (1972-1974);  Companies Take-overs (1976-1977);  and Privileges (1976-1977).  
 
On 3 December 1977 Holding was elected to the House of
Representatives as the member for Melbourne Ports, Victoria.  He was a member of the following Parliamentary committees:  House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs;  Joint Select Committee on the Family Law Act;  House of Representatives Standing Privileges Committee;  Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence;  and Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary Privilege.  Holding was a member of the Parliamentary Delegation to Saudi Arabia, Oman and the United Arab Emirates in January 1982.  He also served on the Council of the Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies.
 
On 11 March 1983 Holding became the Minister for Aboriginal
Affairs in the first Hawke Ministry.  He retained this position until July 1987 when, in the third Hawke Ministry, he was given the positions of Minister for Employment Services and Youth Affairs [assisting the Minister for Employment, Education and Training] and Minister assisting the Treasurer.  

In January 1988 Holding was appointed Minister for Transport and Communications Support within the Transport and Communications portfolio and in February 1988 became Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs.  In September 1988 he was moved from this portfolio to that of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territories where he served as Minister for the Arts and Territories.  He remained in contact with his earlier portfolio, being Minister assisting the Minister for Immigration, Local Government and Ethnic Affairs.  From February 1988 he served as Minister Assisting the Prime Minister.
 
Holding has held several positions within the Australian Labor Party. These positions include:

 1955     : Young Labor Association (VIC) - Secretary
 1967-1977: State Parliamentary Labor Party (VIC) - Leader
 1968-1970: ALP Victorian Central Executive - Member
 1968-1981: ALP Victorian Administrative Committee - Member
 1969-    : ALP Federal Conference - Delegate
 1975     : ALP Victorian Branch Delegation to China - Leader
 1977-1979: ALP Victorian Branch - President
 

Sources

1. Who's Who in Australia 1985, p 420
2. Parliamentary Handbook of the Commonwealth of Australia, 1986, 
   23rd Edition, p 120
3. Commonwealth of Australia Gazette No S184, 24 July 1987
4. Prime Minister, Media Release, 11 August 1987
5. Prime Minister, Media Release, 19 January 1988
6. Prime Minister, Media Release, 15 February 1988
7. Prime Minister, Media Release, 2 September 1988

Agency associated with person unregistered

05 May 1982-03 Oct 1984: Joint Select Committee on Parliamentary
                         Privilege - Member