Jim Cavanagh

James Luke Cavanagh (21 June 1913 – 19 August 1990) was an Australian trade unionist and politician. A member of the Australian Labor Party (ALP), he was a Senator for South Australia from 1962 to 1981 and held ministerial office in the Whitlam government as Minister for Works (1972–1973), Aboriginal Affairs (1973–1975), and Police and Customs. Prior to entering parliament he was an influential union leader as secretary of the Plasterers' Society of South Australia from 1945 to 1962.

Early life Cavanagh was born on 21 June 1913 in Paddington, South Australia. He was the youngest of three children born to Isobella (née Buckton) and James Luke Cavanagh. His father, a boilermaker by profession, was politically active and served on the Port Adelaide City Council.

Cavanagh grew up in Adelaide's inner suburbs, attending St Catherine's Dominican School in North Adelaide and the Christian Brothers' School at Ovingham.

Personal life In 1941, Cavanagh married Elfrieda Lamm, with whom he had three children. He died on 19 August 1990 in Woodville, South Australia, having been widowed several months earlier.