Allan McLean

Allan McLean (3 February 1840 – 13 July 1911) was an Australian politician who served as the 19th Premier of Victoria, in office from 1899 to 1900. He was later elected to federal parliament, where he served as a government minister under George Reid.

McLean was born in Argyll, Scotland, and arrived in Australia as a child. His family settled in the Gippsland region of Victoria, and he eventually acquired a sheep station near Lake Wellington. McLean was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly in 1880 and was promoted to cabinet in 1890, serving under James Munro, William Shiels, and George Turner. He replaced Turner as premier in 1899, but was defeated at the following year's general election. McLean entered the new federal parliament in 1901, as a member of the Protectionist Party. He was a leader of its conservative wing, and in 1904 crossed the floor to become Minister for Trade and Customs in the Reid government. He was the de facto deputy prime minister. The government was defeated in 1905, and he lost his seat at the 1906 election.

Early life McLean was born in the highlands of Scotland and came to Australia as a child in 1842 with his family. He later said 'were practically frozen out of Scotland' by 'an exceptionally severe winter'. His father, Charles McLean, was a grazier near Tarraville, in the Gippsland region of Victoria. McLean was educated at the local state school, assisted his father on his stations, and for a short period was on the staff of the Gippsland Times. About 1870, he acquired the lease of 'The Lowlands', a sheep station, on the shores of Lake Wellington near Sale and in 1872, formed the firm of A. McLean and Company, Stock and Station Agents, at Maffra. He became a shire councillor at Maffra in 1873, and as president of the shire was active in forming the Municipal Association of Victoria.

Victorian politics McLean was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Gippsland North in May 1880.