William Bridges-Maxwell

Crawford William Bridges-Maxwell (27 September 1929 – 15 April 1992) was an Australian politician. He was a member of the House of Representatives from 1964 to 1969, representing the seat of Robertson for the Liberal Party. He was a veterinary scientist by profession.

Early life Bridges-Maxwell was born on 27 September 1929 in Hobart, Tasmania.

Bridges-Maxwell was educated at Geelong Grammar School and then the Royal Agricultural College in England, after which he became a veterinary scientist. At the time of his election to parliament, he was working as secretary of the University of Sydney's Dairy Research Foundation and Poultry Research Foundation. He was elected to the House of Representatives at the 1964 Robertson by-election, retaining the seat of Robertson for the Liberal Party following the resignation of Roger Dean.

Bridges-Maxwell's maiden speech in parliament concentrated on education and scientific research. He called on the federal government to establish a standalone Department of Education and Science (eventually created in 1966) and establish a nonpartisan advisory committee to review government research expenditure. Bridges-Maxwell was a supporter of Prime Minister John Gorton and was a member of the Mushroom Club, an informal dinner club comprising members of Gorton's inner circle.

Prior to the 1969 federal election, Bridges-Maxwell's seat of Robertson was significantly altered in an electoral redistribution. He unsuccessfully sought Liberal preselection for the newly created seat of Berowra, but was defeated by fellow incumbent MP Tom Hughes whose own seat of Parkes had been abolished. At the election, Bridges-Maxwell was defeated by the Australian Labor Party candidate Barry Cohen as part of a nationwide swing against the Liberals.

Bridges-Maxwell died on 15 April 1992, aged 62.