James Fenton (politician)

The Honourable James Fenton CMG
Postmaster-General of Australia
In office 6 January 1932 – 13 October 1932
Prime Minister	Joseph Lyons
Preceded by	Albert Green
Succeeded by	Archdale Parkhill
Minister for Trade and Customs
In office 22 October 1929 – 4 February 1931
Prime Minister	James Scullin
Preceded by	Henry Gullett
Succeeded by	Frank Forde
Member of the Australian Parliament for Maribyrnong
In office 13 April 1910 – 15 September 1934
Preceded by	Samuel Mauger
Succeeded by	Arthur Drakeford
Personal details
Born	(1864-02-04)4 February 1864 Avoca, Victoria, Australia
Died	2 December 1950(1950-12-02) (aged 86) Frankston, Victoria, Australia
Political party	Labor (to 1931) UAP (from 1931)
Spouse	Elizabeth Jane Harvey ​ ​ (m. 1887)​
Occupation	Managing director

James Edward Fenton CMG (4 February 1864 – 2 December 1950) was an Australian politician. He is notable for having been appointed a cabinet minister by two governments of different political complexions, but resigning from both governments on matters of principle. His first resignation looms largely in history as that came with his political defection, whereas there was no defection with his second resignation.

He was also acting as prime minister of Australia for several months in the early 1930s.