Doug McClelland

Douglas McClelland (born 5 August 1926) is an Australian former politician who served as a Senator for New South Wales from 1962 to 1987, representing the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He was Minister for the Media (1972–1975) and Special Minister of State in the Whitlam government, and ended his political career as President of the Senate (1983–1987). He resigned from the Senate to become High Commissioner to the United Kingdom (1987–1991). McClelland is the earliest elected federal parliamentarian still living and the last living former Labor parliamentarian who served under Arthur Calwell, and along with Paul Keating is the last surviving minister who served under Gough Whitlam.

Early life Born on 5 August 1926 in the western Sydney suburb of Wentworthville, Doug McClelland was the son of Gertrude Amy (née Cooksley) and Alfred McClelland. His father was a farmer, union organiser, and ALP politician who served two terms in the Parliament of New South Wales (1920–1927 and 1930–1932). He attended Wentworthville Public School before going on to Parramatta High School and the Metropolitan Business College in Parramatta. After leaving school he found work as a clerk in the state Agriculture Department.

In 1944, five days after his 18th birthday, McClelland enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). He was stationed for periods in New South Wales, Queensland, and the Northern Territory before being discharged in January 1947 with the rank of corporal. From 1949 he worked as a court reporter, employed by the state and federal governments. During this time he was an active member of the Australian Journalists Association. The newly created Department of the Media was responsible for the Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC), the Australian Broadcasting Control Board, the Australian Film Development Corporation, the Australian Government Publishing Service and the Australian News and Information Bureau.

Personal life In 1950, McClelland married Lorna McNeill, with whom he had three children. Their only son Robert McClelland became the third generation of the family to enter parliament, serving as federal attorney-general from 2007 to 2011.