William Demaine

William Halliwell Demaine (25 February 1859 – 18 August 1939) was a newspaper editor, trade union official, and member of both the Queensland Legislative Council and the Queensland Legislative Assembly.

Early life Demaine was born at Bradford, Yorkshire, to parents Joseph Demaine, cabinetmaker, and Elizabeth (née Halliwell). Premier Ryan tried a new tactic, and later that year advised the Governor, Sir Hamilton John Goold-Adams, to appoint thirteen new members whose allegiance lay with Labour to the council.

Demaine was one of the 13 new members, and went on to serve for four and a half years until the council was abolished in March 1922. Demaine, as the Labor candidate, easily won the resultant by-election held on 27 February 1937, becoming the oldest person to enter Queensland Parliament. He held the seat for just over a year before deciding not to stand at the 1938 state election.

Personal life At Bradford on 10 January 1880, Demaine married Mary Susannah Preston and together had nine children.