Charles Graham

Charles Montague Graham (1867 – 27 March 1938) was an Australian politician born in Christchurch, New Zealand. He worked as a tailor, a union official, and entered the Western Australian parliament. He served as an Australian Labor Party Senator in the 1922 election, holding office from 1 July 1923 to 30 September 1929. He relocated to Victoria and died at Clifton Hill, Melbourne in 1938.

Background Charles Montague Graham was the eldest son of Patrick Graham, a horse trainer, in Christchurch, New Zealand. and lived on Pell Street, Broken Hill, before moving to Western Australia.

Graham asserted himself as 'a representative of Western Australia' and declared himself 'an Australian.' After positioning himself as representing Western Australia, he raised questions and opinions on Australian issues, contributing to the 'one big union' movement. He toured Australia as one of Western Australia's delegates.

The lack of representation for females or different ethnicities in the Northern Territory's government was a common concern that Graham also raised. Various proposals were made about representation but until 1920, during Graham's tenure as a senator, no action was taken on these proposals. The focus on policy and labor policy was a significant aspect of Graham's political career.

After Graham's passing in 1938, further actions were taken in 1975 regarding electoral senate policy between the Commonwealth and Australia across various territories. Graham's advocacy for policy change significantly impacted the Australian government after his death.