Arthur Augustus Calwell KCSG (28 August 1896 – 8 July 1973) Australian politician, was a member of the Australian House of Representatives for 32 years from 1940 to 1972, Immigration Minister in the government of Ben Chifley from 1945 to 1949 and Leader of the Australian Labor Party from 1960 to 1967.

Early life

Calwell was born in Melbourne. His father was a police officer of Irish descent, and both father and son were active in Melbourne's Irish community (including membership of the Celtic Club). His mother was of Irish-American descent. The young Arthur Calwell attended St Joseph's Christian Brothers College, North Melbourne after receiving a scholarship from St Mary's Primary School, West Melbourne. He was considered a gifted student and matriculated from St Joseph's in 1912. A devout Roman Catholic, he joined the Australian Labor Party around 1915. Lacking the financial resources to pursue a university education, Calwell read very widely, acquired substantial skill in speaking to audiences, and became a clerk in the Victorian Public Service, in which he worked for the Department of Agriculture and the State Treasury. From 1927 to 1931 he served as President of the Victorian branch of the Australian Public Sector Association (the union representing himself and his colleagues).