Jim Houghton

James Edward Hiram Houghton (13 September 1911 – 21 January 1985) was a member of the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Biography Houghton was born in Sydney, New South Wales, the son of James Houghton and his wife Emily (née Corscadden) and the family moved to Queensland when he was still young. He was educated at Humpybong State School in Redcliffe before attending the Brisbane Technical College.

At the outbreak of World War II he joined the Australian Army, serving with the 5th Light Horse and 5th Motor Regiment and later rose to the rank of major with the 2/12 Battalion (7th Division) where he fought in New Guinea. He was discharged in 1945 and established a real estate business at Proston, later moving to Redcliffe. and together had two sons and two daughters. He died in January 1985 As Speaker, Houghton particularly rejected members who used parliamentary privilege to make unfounded allegations. In his maiden speech, Mr Houghton gave notice of his interest in keeping debate within the bounds of parliamentary dignity. In the speech he castigated members who used the Chamber as a place where, under parliamentary privilege, they could denigrate a person or organisation. He was particularly critical of members who, having made allegations, refused to make information available outside the House to assist police investigations.

Houghton worked hard to have the toll on the Hornibrook Highway removed and have the road links with Redcliffe upgraded. In his honour, the new bridge replacing the Hornibrook Highway was named the Houghton Highway.