Walter Marks

Walter Moffitt Marks (6 June 1875 – 31 March 1951) was an Australian lawyer and politician. He served as a member of the House of Representatives from 1919 to 1931, representing the Division of Wentworth in New South Wales.

Early life Marks was born on 6 June 1875 at his father's property Culwalla Homestead near Jamberoo, New South Wales. He was one of six children born to Sarah Jane and James Marks. His father and uncle John Marks both served in the colonial parliament, as did his father's uncle Samuel Charles. His maternal grandfather William Moffitt had arrived in New South Wales as a convict but became a wealthy businessman.

Marks and his family moved to Sydney when he was a young boy,

Marks had been considered for promotion to a ministerial post, but was passed over. The Sydney Morning Herald noted that "his utterances regarding Armageddon are believed to have interfered with his prospects". However, in December 1921 he was appointed by Billy Hughes to the position of undersecretary in the Prime Minister's Department, assisting the departmental secretary Percy Deane and also answering questions on behalf of the prime minister in the House of Representatives. He received no official salary in the position, but additional compensation was paid to him out of the salaries of the ministers. Stanley Bruce abolished the position when he succeeded Hughes as prime minister in 1923.

Marks took a strong interest in foreign affairs, aviation and the film industry. He was one of seven Nationalists – including Hughes – who voted to bring down the Bruce government, forcing the 1929 election. Although he lost Nationalist Party endorsement, he was re-elected as an independent. Shortly after the election, he joined Hughes' new Australian Party. However, his time there was short-lived, as he resigned in September 1930 over policy differences and returned to sit as an independent. Marks joined the new United Australia Party on its formation in May 1931, but was defeated at the 1931 election by another UAP candidate, Eric Harrison.

Later life

Marks returned to his law practice after losing his seat. In 1937, he became the inaugural chairman of the Papuan Apinaipi Petroleum Company. He was commodore of the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for seven years. Marks died at the age of 75, following surgery in the Sydney suburb of Paddington. He was survived by a son and a daughter.