13 Facts About Alexander Poynton

Alexander Poynton OBE was an Australian politician.

Alexander Poynton held ministerial office under Prime Minister Billy Hughes, serving as Treasurer, Minister for Home and Territories, and Postmaster-General.

Alexander Poynton served in the South Australian House of Assembly as a supporter of the labour movement before winning election to the House of Representatives at the 1901 federal election.

Alexander Poynton was born on 8 August 1853 in Castlemaine, Victoria.

Alexander Poynton was the son of Rosanna and Alexander Poynton; his mother was Irish and his father was from Liverpool, England.

Alexander Poynton left school at the age of 14 and subsequently worked as a miner, station-hand, and shearer.

Alexander Poynton was involved in the Australian labour movement from its beginnings.

Alexander Poynton was president of the Creswick branch of the Amalgamated Miners' Association and in 1886 became the inaugural treasurer of the Amalgamated Shearers' Union of Australasia.

Alexander Poynton's actions earned him a place as Commissioner for Crown Lands in the Solomon ministry in 1899, which lasted only eight days.

Alexander Poynton served in the House of Assembly until 1901.

In 1901 Alexander Poynton successfully stood for the Australian House of Representatives in the inaugural federal election as a Free Trade Party member for the Division of South Australia.

At the 1903 election, South Australia was split into single-member electorates, and Alexander Poynton was elected as the first member for the Division of Grey in the vast northern region of South Australia.

Alexander Poynton died in Toorak Gardens and was buried in North Road Cemetery.