Sir Robert Askin | |
|---|---|
 Askin in 1973. | |
| 32nd Premier of New South Wales Elections: 1965, 1968, 1971, 1973 | |
| In office 13 May 1965 – 3 January 1975 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Governor | Sir Eric Woodward (1965) Sir Roden Cutler (1965–75) |
| Deputy | Sir Charles Cutler |
| Preceded by | Jack Renshaw |
| Succeeded by | Tom Lewis |
| 20th Leader of the Opposition of New South Wales Elections: 1962, 1965 | |
| In office 17 July 1959 – 13 May 1965 | |
| Deputy | Eric Willis |
| Preceded by | Pat Morton |
| Succeeded by | Jack Renshaw |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Pittwater | |
| In office 17 November 1973 – 3 January 1975 | |
| Preceded by | New district |
| Succeeded by | Bruce Webster |
| Member of the New South Wales Parliament for Collaroy | |
| In office 17 June 1950 – 17 November 1973 | |
| Preceded by | New district |
| Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
| 6th Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party | |
| In office 17 July 1959 – 3 January 1975 | |
| Deputy | Eric Willis |
| Preceded by | Pat Morton |
| Succeeded by | Tom Lewis |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Robin William Askin 4 April 1907 Sydney, New South Wales |
| Died | 9 September 1981 (aged 74) Sydney, New South Wales |
| Political party | Liberal Party |
| Spouse(s) | Mollie Underhill (Lady Askin) |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George Officer of the National Order of the Cedar (Lebanon) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Australia |
| Branch/service | Australian Army |
| Years of service | 1925–1929 1942–1946 |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 55th Battalion, CMF 2/31st Infantry Battalion |
| Battles/wars | |
Sir Robert William Askin, GCMG (4 April 1907 – 9 September 1981), was an Australian politician and the 32nd Premier of New South Wales from 1965 to 1975, the first representing the Liberal Party. He was born in 1907 as Robin William Askin, but always disliked his first name and changed it by deed poll in 1971. Before being knighted in 1972, however, he was generally known as Bob Askin. Born in Sydney in 1907, Askin was educated at Sydney Technical High School. After serving as a bank officer and as a Sergeant in the Second World War, Askin joined the Liberal Party and was elected to the seat of Collaroy at the 1950 election.
Askin quickly rose through party ranks, eventually becoming Deputy Leader following Walter Howarth's resignation in July 1954. When long-serving party leader Vernon Treatt announced his resignation in August 1954, Askin put his name forward to replace him. At the vote, he became deadlocked against Pat Morton and Askin asked his former commanding officer Murray Robson to take the leadership instead. Robson did not live up to expectations and was deposed in September 1955 by Morton, who then became Leader. Askin remained as Deputy until, after leading the party to a second electoral defeat in 1959, Morton was deposed and Askin was elected to succeed him. At the May 1965 election, Askin presented the Liberal Party as a viable alternative government. He won a narrow victory, ending a 24-year Labor hold on government.
Askin's time in office was marked by a significant increase in public works programs, strong opposition to an increase in Commonwealth powers, laissez-faire economic policies and wide-ranging reforms in laws and regulations such as the Law Reform Commission, the introduction of consumer laws, legal aid, breath-testing of drivers, the liberalisation of liquor laws and the restoration of postal voting in NSW elections. More controversial changes included the 1967 abolition of Sydney City Council and increased rates of development in Sydney, often at the expense of architectural heritage and historic buildings. This culminated in the 'Green ban' movement of the 1970s led by the union movement to conserve the heritage of Sydney.
At the end of his term, after winning another three elections, Askin was the second longest serving Premier of New South Wales (after Henry Parkes) and served the longest consecutive term of any Premier. This record has since been overtaken by Neville Wran and Bob Carr. Askin remains the longest-serving Leader of the New South Wales Liberal Party. Since his death in 1981, however, Askin's legacy has been tarnished by persistent allegations that he was involved in organised crime and official corruption.