12 Facts About James Service

James Service was a founding member of the Emerald Hill municipal council in 1855, and of the Commercial Bank of Australia in 1866, going on to become a prominent banker and representative of Melbourne business interests.

James Service was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Melbourne in a by-election in March 1857, retaining this seat until August 1859.

James Service then represented Ripon and Hampden from October 1859 to around August 1862, Maldon from May 1874 to March 1881 and Castlemaine from June 1883 to February 1886.

James Service was a moderate liberal in the context of Victorian politics, but as a free trader he increasingly sided with the conservatives, since all the more radical liberals were protectionists.

James Service was President of the Board of Land and Works in the Nicholson government from 1859 to 1860 and Treasurer in the Kerferd government from 1874 to 1875.

When Graham Berry's radical ministry fell in March 1880, James Service formed a minority government.

In March 1883 the liberals under Berry's successor, Sir Bryan O'Loghlen were defeated at elections, and James Service formed a new and much stronger government, taking the Treasury as well as the Premiership.

When James Service agreed not to attempt to reduce tariffs, Berry joined him as a minister: such was the fluidity of party politics at this time.

The James Service government lasted three years and passed some important legislation, including a Public James Service Act which removed political patronage from the public service, a new Factories Act and a new Lands Act.

In June 1883, at a banquet at Albury celebrating the opening of the railway line between Sydney and Melbourne, James Service raised the question of Australian federation.

James Service supported Sir Thomas McIlwraith in his action with regard to the annexation of New Guinea, and suggested the inter-colonial conference which was held at Sydney in November 1883.

James Service himself desired the establishment of a federal government, but the other premiers were comparatively lukewarm and the proposed council was to have very limited powers.