William Dartnell Johnson

William Dartnell Johnson (9 October 1870 – 26 January 1948) was an Australian politician who was prominent in state politics in Western Australia for most of the first half of the 20th century. A member of the Labor Party, he served in the Legislative Assembly on three occasions – from 1901 to 1905, then again from 1906 to 1917, and finally from 1924 until his death. Johnson was elected leader of the Labor Party (and thus leader of the opposition) in October 1905, but three weeks later lost his own seat at the 1905 state election. He had previously been a minister in the government of Henry Daglish (from August 1904 to August 1905), and later returned to the ministry under John Scaddan (from October 1911 to July 1916). Towards the end of his career, Johnson also served just under a year as Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, from 1938 to 1939.

Early life William Dartnell Johnson was born on 9 October 1870 in Whanganui, New Zealand. His father was George Groheim Johnson, a plumber, and his mother, Elizabeth Ann McCormish. During his tenure, he spearheaded the Midland Railway Workshops. He then became the leader of the Western Australian Labor Party, but quit his role in October 1905.

From 1906 to 1917, he served as MLA for the Electoral district of Guildford in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly. In October 1911, he began a term as Minister for Works, and from November 1914 he served as Minister for Lands and Agriculture. In the assembly, his proposal to build a railway line going North from Esperance, Western Australia rejected. In January 1915, he helped pass the Industries Assistance Act to help farmers whose livelihood had been jeopardized by the recent drought. However, he lost his ministerial portfolio as a result of the Nevanas affair. Moreover, he lost his seat in the assembly to Joseph Davies (1866-1954) as a result of his opposition to the conscription of Western Australians in the First World War.

From 1924 to 1930, he served again as MLA for the Electoral district of Guildford in the Western Australian Legislative Assembly, and from 1930 to 1940 as MLA for the Electoral district of Guildford-Midland. He also served as Speaker of the Assembly from August 1938 to August 1939, and as chairman of the parliamentary party from 1924 to 1948. He was a 'state socialist' and rejected the proposed secession of Western Australia.

He was a freemason.

Personal life On 27 November 1901, he married Jessie Elizabeth Stewart, née McCallum, who had been recently widowed. They had a son and three daughters.

Death He died on 26 January 1948, and he was buried in the Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth.