Charles Porter

Charles Robert Porter ( – ) was a British born Australian politician, author, playwright and broadcaster. He was the Liberal member for the Electoral District of Toowong in the Legislative Assembly of the Australian state of Queensland from 1966, and the Minister for Aboriginal and Island Affairs from 1977. Before his parliamentary career, Porter engaged in a career in radio and broadcasting, along with other creative pursuits.

Porter was the father of 1956 Olympic silver medallist Charles "Chilla" Porter. Chilla's son and Charles' grandson is Christian Porter, a former member of the Western Australian state parliament, former member of the federal parliament and former Attorney-General of Australia.

Early life Porter was born in London, England on 17 May 1910, to mother Evelyn Day and father George Henry, an insurance agent. After this, he then worked as a journalist and freelance writer; he worked with advertising and merchandising industries; He is quoted speaking on the long hours he worked during this time, rising at “5am… and most days concluding with an evening shift that went to either 9 or 10:30”. He also acted as the state campaign director during this time. He continued to act as state campaign director after the QPP became the Queensland division of the Liberal Party, and performed his duties between 1949 and 1950, and again between 1957 and 1966. Following Gordon Chalk's retirement, Porter was considered as a replacement, but instead John Greenwood was nominated. Following Ron Camm's announcement of his resignation as minister and MLA of Whitsunday, Porter – along with members Fred Campbell and Nev Hewitt – elected not to recontest, receiving a valedictory motion at the session's closure. when in fact “over 90% of all permits were granted” Babes and Sucklings

Books and other

Broadcasting in Queensland (1961)